Leonard Robert Deibert

Leonard Robert Deibert, 87, of Luray and formerly Annandale, Va., passed away on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, at Hidden Springs Retirement Community in Bentonville, Va. He was born on September 16, 1932, in Palmerton, Pa., son of the late Sidney Harvey Deibert and Grace Sieger Handwerk Deibert.

He graduated high school from the American School in Tokyo, Japan, where his father served in the civilian U.S. government reconstruction effort, and from the University of Missouri in Journalism. After serving in the U.S. Army, he had a career of more than 50 years as a broadcast journalist in Washington, D.C., as a TV and radio reporter, editor and news director including positions at WJLA-ABC local news and WMAL radio. He was a former member of the board of directors of the Radio-TV News Directors Association and a recipient of the Washington Television Academy’s Board of Governors’ Award for sustained contributions to the television industry.

Len had a passion for Christ and was a founding member and Elder of the Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Kingstowne, Va., before moving to Luray where he joined the Luray United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, the former Betty Ann Schmitt; a son, Chris Deibert and wife Melissa of Luray; a daughter, Rebecca Chandler of Providence, R.I.; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19, at the Luray United Methodist Church.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. 

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