Robert J. Leach papers

Robert J. Leach was born on November 4, 1916 in Reading, Massachusetts. He attended Marietta College in Ohio from 1934-1938 and received his Master's degree in History from Ohio State University. In 1939, Leach joined the Religious Society of Friends and has remained active as a Quaker member and elder since that time. Throughout his youth, he experienced crushes on boys that he tried to ignore, and in 1941, he fell in love with a man for the first time. They did not, however, get involved. A conscientious objector during World War II, Leach served in the Civilian Public Service from 1942-1946. From 1946-1950, Leach was an assistant professor of History at Salem College in North Carolina. In 1950 and 1951, Leach completed all of his course work for a doctoral degree at the University of Geneva, and in 1951 was appointed head of History at the International School of Geneva. He has maintained a residence in Switzerland ever since. He remained at the School for thirty years where he co-founded the International Baccalaureate Program. His research has included comparative religion and comparative civilization, although his most recent publications have focused on whaling and Nantucket Quaker history. In 1953, he married Jean Frances, who had won Junior Wimbledon in 1938, and who had taught auto-mechanics in the British Army during the War. He and Jean had two children, David R.F. Leach, in 1954, and Felicity M.K. Leach, in 1955. David became a lecturer in Molecular Genetics in Scotland at Edinburgh University, and Felicity became a world level rowing champion and an expert in audio visual studies. Before Robert and Jean married, he told her that he believed he was bisexual. Her response was, "That is your business." They were happily married for almost 28 years. After Jean's death in 1981, Leach identified himself as gay and told his children and later his grandchildren, all of whom reacted very supportively. He also sent a "coming out" letter to five hundred friends and acquaintances, about half of whom Leach claims have avoided him since. From 1981-1982 and 1993-1994, Leach traveled around the world. The earlier trip gave rise to relationships with two Thai men named Noui and Toek (last names not provided). Leach's relationship with Toek lasted over four years, and Toek has since had a sex change operation. The relationship is well documented in the collection.