Obituary: Bouge, Leonard James

BOUGE,
Leonard James
(Age 81)

Born August 30, 1934 to Carl and Florence Bouge, Leonard James Bouge passed from this earth on April 29, 2016.

He shall be greatly missed by the family that depended upon him for guidance and leadership.

He is preceded in death by both of his parents Carl and Florence Bouge and his sister Marilyn.

A full blooded Norweigan he often referenced his lineage and was very proud of his hertitage.
Graduating from Central Valley High School in 1952, he married Elizabeth Hattell on June 15, 1952.

For over 60 years, Len took great pride and comfort in keeping in close contact with his classmates.

Len and Bette began a 64 year journey together that would see them raise three children, David, Dale and Dawn.

Len attended Northrup University in California.

Len joined the Air Force in 1954 and taught electronics at Kessler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, where their two sons were born in 1954 and 1956.

In 1960 he and Bette moved to Michigan City Indiana where they had their daughter Dawn, in 1962.

Len quickly rose to the rank of Chief Engineer and Vice President of Engineering at Clark Equipment, a semi-trailer manufacturer.

He traveled the world providing guidance and counsel to companies in the field of engineering.

He earned his Professional Engineering License in 1985.
In 1969, the urge to raise his children around family in Spokane brought his family home.

Upon his return to Spokane, he worked for Atlas Engineering and eventually became a managing partner/owner of Atlas Boiler and Equipment.

In 1974, Len and Bette purchased the White Birches Mobile Home Park on east Sprague (the current Fred Meyer location in the Valley) and ran it for over 18 years.

In 1990, Len designed and built Birch Tree Manor on Conklin Road.

Len served as the President of the Washington State Mobile Home Owners Association and testified before the state legislature many times on issues that impacted mobile home park owners.

In 2007, they sold the business and entered into retirement, spending time in Lake Havasu and a multitude of casinos along the way.

Len is survived by his wife Bette, along with his three children, Dave Bouge (Glenna), Dale Bouge (Jane) and Dawn Burns (Ed) of the Spokane Valley.

He also enjoyed the company and adoration of a multitude of grandchildren and even great-grandchildren.

He could always be counted on to attend their various sporting events as their biggest fan.

Len Bouge led an marvelous life , he leaves behind a grieving family and a legacy that will never be forgotten.

A celebration of Len Bouge’s life will be held on May 13th at 11 a.m. at Advent Lutheran Church 13009 E. Broadway.

Donations in lue of flowers should be made to the The American Cancer Society.