Leonard Rife

A service for Dr. Leonard Rife, 68, long-time Yerington dentist, will be at 11 a.m. Monday at The Holy Family Catholic Church in Yerington.

Dr. Rife died July 31, 2003, at St. Mary's Hospital in Reno following a lengthy illness. He was born May 3, 1935, in Yerington, to Otis and Arline Springmeyer Rife.

He attended local schools, graduating in 1953. He then attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, receiving his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1962.

He married Yvone Pistone in 1957.

Dr. Rife served two years as a captain in the U.S. Army Dental Corps at Ft. Ord., Calif. Following his tour of duty, he moved to Yerington where he maintained his dental practice until his retirement in 1996.

He was a 37-year member and past president of the Yerington Rotary Club and served for many years as one of the chief cooks for Rotary functions. While president, the club completed the Yerington Kiddie Park. He was past-president and 12-year member of the Lyon County Board of School Trustees, past master of Hope Lodge 22 and a member of the Yerington Chamber of Commerce. He was a founding director of Walker River Basin Communities Foundation where he remained as director emeritus until his death. In 1997, he was honored as a Distinguished Yerington High School Graduate. At the time of his death he remained a member of The American Dental Association, The Nevada State Dental Association and The Northern Nevada Dental Society. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, four-wheeler and card player.

Among his survivors are his wife of 46 years Yvonne; sons and daughters-in-law Darrel and Debbie of Reno and Jeff and Debbie of Yerington; grandchildren Ryan, David, DeAnn and Ashley; brother and sister-in-law Dave and "Dink" of Graeagle, Calif. and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private inurnment will be at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Walker River Basin Communities Foundation, P.O. Box 442, Yerington, NV 89447.

Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.