Leon E. Kauffman

Leon E. Kauffman, 81, of W. North Street, Carlisle, died Sunday July 24, 2016 in Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill.
Born July 24, l935, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Ivan and Leah Eicher Kauffman.
Leon was a 1953 graduate of McCaskey High School and a 1957 graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, both in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He won the Harbold Prize as the most outstanding student teacher upon graduation from college. He earned his master's degree from Temple University in Philadelphia and had graduate credits from Muhlenberg College, Penn State University, Michigan State University, the University of Maryland and Lehigh University.
After two years of teaching at Pennridge High School in Perkasie, Pennsylvania, Leon spent the rest of his 34-year teaching career at Carlisle High School, where he served for his last 25 years as Science Coordinator and chemistry teacher, retiring in 1991. While in the Carlisle schools he directed the Carlisle Area Science Fair and the CASAC Awards Dinner throughout his career. He served as adjunct professor of chemistry at Dickinson College for 13 summers in 1966 and from 1971 through 1982. He published a number of scientific papers in the Pennsylvania Science Teacher.
Mr. Kauffman was named both the "Outstanding Young Educator of Carlisle" and the "Outstanding Young Educator of Pennsylvania" in 1966. He also won the Whalen Memorial Award for Outstanding High School Chemistry Teaching from the American Chemical Society.
He was a member of numerous scientific organizations, including the National Science Teachers' Association, the Pennsylvania Science Teachers' Association, the American Chemical Society and the Carlisle Area Science Advisory Committee.
Following his retirement from teaching, he was a member of the Carlisle Kiwanis Club where he served as chairman of their annual Kiwanis Awards Dinner Committee honoring high school seniors of high academic standing from three area high schools.
He was an active member of the former Allison United Methodist Church and its senior choir since l960 and a current member of Carlisle United Methodist Church.
Mr. Kauffman served as a Little League baseball coach for many years in North Middleton Township. He was also known locally as a long-term softball player, coach and umpire in the Carlisle Area Recreation and Church Leagues. He also enjoyed golf and reading.
Mr. Kauffman was a U. S. Marine Corps veteran.
Surviving are his daughter, Cindy Kauffman, of Ocean View, Delaware, two sons Mark Kauffman of Carlisle and Jeff Kauffman of Carlisle, with his wife Charise, granddaughters Ashley and Amy of Carlisle, former wife Kathy Kauffman, Carlisle, and a brother Marvin Kauffman and his wife Susan in Texas. He was preceded in death by his sister Edith Geist of Lancaster. He had eight nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm Friday, July 29, 2016 in Carlisle United Methodist Church, 45 S. West St., Carlisle PA with the Rev. James Van Zandt officiating. There will be a viewing from 1:00 – 3:00 pm Friday in the church.
Hoffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle is handling the arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Project SHARE, 5 S. Orange St., #4, Carlisle PA 17013.