Robert George Leedberg: 3/17/1941 - 10/19/2024, 83 years old, Bob passed peacefully in his sleep, at West Acres after a brief illness. Bob served the City of Brockton Police Department as a Police Officer for 35 years, he had many assignments including being a founding member of the first Brockton Police Gang Unit in the late 80s. He LOVED his job and it was apparent to anyone he encountered. He made many friends through his police service including the State Police Units assigned to the city, the staff at the District Court, and anyone who was smart enough to golf with him. We often prayed he would not be read his Miranda Rights by Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates but rather, be welcomed with open arms, like the love of his life and wife of 55 years, Marilyn, who passed away just a year ago. And his mother, Theresa, his father, Oscar, and his siblings, Maryanne, Raymond, and Richard,

After graduating from Brockton High School in 1959, he served in the Army from 1959 to 62. He started the Police Department in 1965. He married Marilyn in 1967, and then he went on to get a Bachelor's degree from Stonehill College while raising his family and working full-time. Marilyn tolerated his Swedish stubbornness and Italian quick fuse with his abundance of always-inappropriate sarcasm. And his two daughters, Tracey the greatest auditor, and Nancy the best female police officer, in his words.

His grandson Eric, who he admired for his kind heart and commitment to Costco management, and his grandson Matthew who Bob thought should play for the Celtics someday, but is actually third-generation law enforcement. His granddaughter, Courtney, and her husband Johon. They recently had their third child, all while Courtney was closing on a real estate sale for a client. And the other great loves of his life, his great-grandchildren, who he spoiled relentlessly, Jaylssa, Jaselenna, and Jonas.

He also leaves behind two sisters, Lorraine and Linda, who were extremely close growing up in Brockton and remaining there for most of their lives. His sister-in-law, Carol as well as many usual suspects… his nieces and nephews, all of whom had a special bond with their What-about-Bob…Uncle.

He was an avid golfer but questioned his love for the game after surviving a stroke on the golf course in October 2019 and almost finished the game. In his true stubborn fashion, he fought with his caretaker daughter, Tracey that day about seeking what he called "unnecessary medical attention" so she had to drive her non-complaint father to his enforcer daughter's house and have Nancy procure handcuffs to bring him to the hospital.

He often enjoyed seeing stories from Facebook about the kids and families he helped, the lives he saved and the stories that people told his daughters about his interventions. His passions were spending money on the kids, police work, Italian Kitchen family dinners, golfing, reading, any music from Willie Nelson and Bobby Darin, and Marilyn's former bingo nights.

Visiting Hours will be held at Russell & Pica Funeral Home,165 Belmont St., (Rt123) Brockton from 12:00PM-2:30PM on Saturday, October 26, 2024 followed by a funeral service in the funeral home at 2:30PM. Bob requested to be cremated and his ashes spread where it is illegal, as his last and final act of rebellion. Instead, his interment of ashes will be private in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA.