By Stuart McCathie, Headmaster, Lausanne Collegiate School
Trustee, grandparent, advisor, mentor, guardian and protector…Leo Bearman was all of these things and more to Lausanne over the years. I spent many hours with Leo over the years in a variety of settings, both on and off campus, though for ten years I sat next to him at the trustee meetings. In these meetings Leo would listen more than he spoke. When he did speak, the room was enveloped in silence. We were all captivated and in awe of his sage words and advice. It was evident that Leo could mentor without saying a word as simply his presence was sufficient for everyone to raise their game. I, for one, always felt a little smarter sitting next to him.
At each trustee meeting Leo would tell me that the meeting would be more enjoyable with chardonnay. He wasn't referencing the cheap kind, but his favorite, Cakebread Chardonnay Reserve. This was our ongoing joke. I last saw Leo this summer, when I delivered such a bottle to his house on his birthday. Leo was happy to see another person, and was eager to get my thoughts on when COVID would be over; however, I am sure he was even happier to see the chardonnay!
Leo's passing has left us all a little more vulnerable, and Lausanne a little less protected and secure, but we are resolute in carrying on in ways that he would approve of.