Friends raise funds for family of man who died

A memorial fund has been set up for the family of Robert Leis Jr. who was found dead at the bottom of a ravine south of Gardnerville early Wednesday. Leis, 35, left behind his wife of 17 years, Kris, and three children, son Ryan, 9, and daughters Becky, 7, and 5-year-old Reneé.

Family friend Jennifer Hinnant has opened an account at Wells Fargo Bank to help the family.

"He was such a devoted father and husband," Hinnant said. "In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family could use some financial help at this horrible time."

From the time the Leis family moved to Carson Valley in August 1998, Leis was involved with children's sports in the Valley, coaching Carson Valley Little League for five years and serving three years as division coordinator for the Carson Valley Little League Board of Directors.

He was also involved in AYSO Soccer and other sports programs for children as well as a board member for Head Start from 2001 to 2003.

For those who wish to help the Leis family, make a donation to the Wells Fargo Bank account in the name of Jennifer Hinnant, to Benefit Kris Leis in memory of Rob Leis. Account No. 8327218882.

Leis' death was discovered hours after a Douglas County sheriff's deputy had responded to the area, approximately a mile and a half west of Highway 395 at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to check on a disabled vehicle.

The deputy did not find anyone inside the disabled blue 1997 GMC pickup or in the immediate area. One end of the drive shaft was on the ground underneath the vehicle.

The truck was traced to Leis through DMV records and his family was contacted. Leis' wife told deputies she believed her husband had gone to his mother's house in Topaz Ranch Estates but recontacted deputies when she discovered his mother had not seen him in two days.

Search and Rescue Team volunteers and members of the sheriff's office patrol division returned to the area where the truck was found and discovered Leis' body at 1:20 a.m. Wednesday. There was no evidence of foul play and the cause of death is pending autopsy results.