Leon Stanhope Brewer

Leon Stanhope Brewer  

Saint Paul – Leon “Doc” Stanhope Brewer passed away on April 18, 2025.  He was born in Early, Iowa on February 18, 1931, son of the late Cleaves Reitzell Brewer and Zaidee (Stanford) Brewer. 

Leon attended Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa before training as a radar technician in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in El Paso, Texas and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during his military service. A visit to the Franklin Institute while in Philadelphia sparked his lifelong passion for steam technology. Leon later graduated from Dunwoody Institute and worked in industry for a few years before returning to Dunwoody as a machine shop instructor for 36 years. He was a charter member of the New Hope Fire Department where he served as Engineer for 20 years. 

Leon loved his summer road trips each year and the many friends he made along the way. He visited fire houses, steamboats and steam whistles, threshing shows, historic railroads, antique automobiles, and calliopes all over the country. In the early years, he traveled on his beloved Gold Wing motorcycles. Finding the prettiest, winding country roads was always more important that making time. 

The annual Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motorized Fire Apparatus (SPAAMFA) convention was often a destination on his annual trips. The comradery of fellow fire engine collectors was very special to Leon. When he wasn’t traveling, Leon loved giving rides on his 1936 Mack fire engine “Grandpa Mack” and driving the antique truck around Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. Returning “Grandpa Mack” to the Atlantic Fire Department in Atlantic, Iowa, where the truck started its fire service, was among Leon’s contributions to the preservation of historic fire apparatus. He was honored to serve as Grand Marshall of the parade celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Atlantic Fire Department in 2017. 

Along with his parents, Leon is predeceased by his wife Marilyn (Hinkley) Brewer, sisters Barbara Cowles and Carol Rutledge and grandson Leon Huhn. He is survived by his three children: Lee (wife Barb Brewer), Rod (partner Denise Pech), Julie (husband George Huhn); five grandchildren: Kimberly, Brian (wife Jessica), Alex, Erik, and Max; and three great grandchildren. 

A celebration of life is being planned for a future date. Condolences may be shared by visiting https://www.ohalloranmurphy.com/. To honor Leon’s memory, consider making a donation to SPAAMFA, the Atlantic (Iowa) Fire Department “care of Grandpa Mack”, or to your local fire company. 

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