Dr. Leonard Lewis Bewersdorf, Ed.D., died peacefully on August 7, 2026, surrounded by family at Grand Victorian of Crystal Lake, Illinois. Leonard was born in Joliet, Illinois, on October 19, 1941, to Leonard Lewis and Leslie (ne’e Barlow) Bewersdorf. He attended Joliet Public Schools and was in the 1959 graduating class of Joliet Township High School where he was a proud member of the National Championship Joliet Township High School Band.
After graduating, Leonard enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve and served two years of active duty aboard the USS Norfolk (Destroyer Leader 1). Following his honorable discharge, he enrolled at Lewis College (now Lewis University) and later DePaul University in Chicago, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Sociology. His career helping people began with the State of Illinois as a rehabilitation counselor. He then took the role of Special Education Department Chairperson at York Community High School in Elmhurst, Illinois where he worked full time while earning a master's degree from DePaul University.
Leonard earned his doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, and soon thereafter established private practice as a psychotherapist and hypnotherapist. After retiring from private practice, Leonard started a new position as marketing specialist for Pressroom Products, Inc. Leonard was a lifelong learner with a diverse range of interests and accomplishments. Among them, he held a private pilot license and was proficient at playing the bagpipes. He will be remembered fondly by his family and friends for the many lives he touched.
Immediate survivors include Leonard’s beloved wife of over 40 years, Kathleen (Rudakas) Marston and three sons, Kory Bewersdorf from former wife Patricia (Hutchinson) Ushijima, stepsons Greg Marston (Eileen) and Chris Marston (Jessica) and his four grandchildren Samatha, Jake, Danielle and Jayden Marston. He is also survived by first wife, Gayle (ne’e Glasscock) Crompton; and sisters Lois (Ronald) Duewel, Lorraine (Mark) Linnerud, and LouAnn (Michael) Unger.
For most of their lives, Leonard and Kathy made their home in Schaumburg and Pingree Grove, Illinois. Once retired, they took up residence at The Villages, Florida, where they enjoyed many happy years together before returning home to Illinois.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at DeFiore Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee Road, Huntley, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Interment will be on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W Hoff Road in Elwood. Memorials may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project in Leonard’s name.
For further information please contact the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
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