On February 19, 2018, Leland Orrin Singer went home to be with the Lord. He was preceded in death by his parents, Orrin and Vera Singer of Holton, Kansas. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Diane; his two children, Bryan and Allison Singer; and his three grandchildren, Madelynn, Michaela, and Charles Singer.
Lee was born on January 31, 1946 in Holton, Kansas. He graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Science and entered the U.S. Air Force in December 1968. Once he completed basic flight training, Lee went on to become an instructor pilot at the U.S. Air Force Academy. After a tour of duty in SE Asia, he completed his Air Force career as a test pilot at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH where he also earned a Master’s Degree in Logistical Engineering. In 1979, he went to work for Boeing, where he was employed at the time of his death as a project manager on the International Space Station. In 2010 he was honored by NASA for his contribution to the U.S. Space Program.
Lee was an interesting man with a plethora of hobbies, including metal working, leather crafting, wood working, and shooting. While in the Air Force, he led their high-powered rifle team, which took part in national competitions. He was also a licensed gunsmith and a lifetime member of the NRA. At the young age of 60, he took up scuba diving, which quickly became a family sport. He and Diane went on to become dive masters, assistant scuba diving instructors, and cave divers. As part of his scuba-diving certifications, Lee became an Emergency First Responder instructor.
Lee’s two greatest passions were building things and helping people. In the past decade, he started taking part in medical mission trips to the Dominican Republic and Honduras. For the past several years, he helped run the local workshop for Mobility Worldwide, which builds hand-cranked carts for people who do not have the use of their legs and who live in areas unsuited for wheelchairs. Lee served as an usher at First Baptist Church in Huntsville, AL.
Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church Sanctuary. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Travis Collins officiating.
