Eric Douglas Leach's Obituary
It is with tremendous sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of Eric Douglas Leach of Fayetteville, AR, on October 27, 2025. He was predeceased by his Brother-in-Law, Duane Kolbuch; his In-Laws, Ivy & Joe Kolbuch; his son, Nick Carner; and his father, Eugene Leach.
Eric was born on September 27, 1962, in Peoria, Illinois, to Eugene and Angela Leach and was raised in Germantown Hills, Illinois. He and his family enjoyed many camping trips to places like Disney World, various battlefields, and traveling across the US. Eric graduated from Metamora High School, Metamora, Illinois. He attended Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, and MTSU in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and graduated with a B.S. degree in Recording Industry Management. While at college, he made life-long friendships that meant a lot to him. Eric met his future wife, Debra, in Canada while touring as a musician with his band, Sterling, and they were married on September 26th, 1992. In 2000, Eric graduated Magna Cum Laude from Whittier Law School in Whittier, California, with his Juris Doctor and was a published author of many legal publications. He was an Intellectual Property attorney for many years before becoming a Law Professor at various law schools across the US and teaching internationally in France. Eric was a favored professor by many of his students as he made himself available to meet and talk with them and truly listened to help them through their challenges.
Music was significant to Eric and was a passion of his from the time he was a young boy throughout his adult life. He was a talented and thoughtful poet, songwriter, storyteller, and musician. He found solace and peace in writing meaningful lyrics and creating all the musical sounds for songs in his home studio. He spent countless hours working and reworking songs until they met his high standards. His attention to the smallest details was a testament to his determination to find the perfect note or sound. His most recent musical research focus was learning all that he could about Mozart’s life and the process by which he created his music. Equally important to Eric was his appreciation for Art. He was especially drawn to Vincent Van Gogh’s life story and his artwork, Starry Night and The Church at Auvers.
Eric had an exceptionally compassionate heart and was always willing to give his last dollar and a kind word to the less fortunate. He was generous with his time and love and had a soft spot in his heart for all animals. On more than one occasion, he would stop the car and pick up a turtle on the road by his home and safely place it in the woods away from traffic. His remarkable work ethic was evident in everything Eric set his mind to: from his time as a student in law school, from which he graduated top 10 in his class, to being an attorney and litigating in court, to teaching his law school students, through to his retirement, where he was committed daily to his exercise and health regimen. He was a devoted Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan as well as a Razorback sports fan. When he was not watching a football game or working on his music, you could find Eric reading several history books at once, as he was always eager to learn more and expand his knowledge. Eric had an affinity for travel with his family and loved to see history come alive in the places he visited, such as the Colosseum and Thermopylae. Above all, Eric loved and cherished his family and the life he built with them. He was most proud of his marriage and his children, and enjoyed watching them grow and succeed; always there to listen or give advice when they needed it. Time spent with them fulfilled him and gave him peace.
Eric is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Debra; cherished children, Megan and Sean; Mother, Angela Leach; Brother, Alan Leach (Ellen); Sister, Joan Leach (Reggie); Sister-in-Law, Karen Kolbuch; nephews and nieces; and his dearly beloved kitties. He will forever be remembered as a truly remarkable and extraordinary person. His loved ones will especially miss his thoughtful conversations, witty humor, consistent encouragement, and warm hugs.
There are simply not enough words to adequately reflect how very much he will be missed and forever loved. Rest well, my love.
A remembrance Memorial will be held on April 4, 2026, at 10:00 am at Moore's Chapel Funeral Home, 206 W Center St., Fayetteville, Arkansas. 72701 for all who loved Eric to celebrate the extraordinary person he was and to share stories and love for him.
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