Leonard Phillip Plank

It is difficult—perhaps impossible—to capture the passing of Leonard P. Plank, a man whose life so fully embodied the phrase larger than life. Leonard died peacefully at home on December 9, 2025, surrounded by the enduring love of his wife of seventy-one years, Patricia (“Fanny”), and his family.

A Colorado native in every sense of the word, Leonard was born on July 4, 1932, in Gunnison, Colorado, to Dr. Raymond P. Plank and Mary Fitzgerald. He delighted in reminding anyone within earshot that the fireworks were always for him. It was an origin entirely fitting for a man whose life radiated warmth, humor, independence, and goodwill.

Leonard spent part of his early childhood in New Orleans while his father earned a master’s degree in surgery at Tulane University. The family later settled in Denver, where Leonard was raised with his brother and three sisters at 200 South Eudora Street—a home filled with faith, discipline, laughter, and deep familial bonds. He attended St. Philomena’s Grade School, Regis Jesuit High School, and Regis College, institutions he revered throughout his life. Following graduation, Leonard served in the United States Army at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Upon his honorable discharge, Leonard attended the University of Denver Law School. He went on to serve four years as an Assistant District Attorney for the City and County of Denver, prosecuting cases that spanned the full gravity of the law. He later practiced civil law at Zarlengo, Mott & Carlin before becoming chief counsel for CFI Corporation.

Leonard’s true vocation, however, was the bench. In 1970, he was appointed by Mayor William McNichols to the Denver County Court, where he earned the respect of colleagues and litigants alike through his intellect, fairness, and humanity. In 1974, he was appointed to the Denver District Court, where he rotated with distinction through civil, criminal, and domestic dockets. Though famously self-effacing and uninterested in public recognition, Leonard received numerous Judicial Excellence Awards throughout his career.

In 1987, Leonard was appointed to the Colorado Court of Appeals. He continued to serve, well into his mid-eighties, as a senior judge, bringing wisdom, patience, and perspective to every matter before him. In total, Leonard devoted more than fifty years of his life to public service on the bench, shaping the administration of justice in Colorado with integrity and compassion.

Leonard’s legacy cannot be measured solely by professional achievement. He believed deeply in service—rendered quietly, consistently, and without expectation of recognition. He gave freely of his time, counsel, and resources, guided by faith, humility, and an unshakable belief in the dignity of every person. Those who knew him cherished the man behind the robe: loving, generous, honest, deeply compassionate, and endlessly joyful.

Leonard possessed a rare and disarming joy. He was always laughing, smiling, and telling a story or a joke. He had an extraordinary ability to put others at ease, whether in a courtroom, at a dinner table, or in a chance encounter with a stranger. He lived his life guided by Jesus’ commandment to love the least of his brothers and remained fiercely proud of his Jesuit education and the Regis community that shaped him.

Leonard often said he was the luckiest man alive. He fell in love with Patricia Ann Fallon in high school while she attended St. Francis. They married in 1954 at St. Vincent’s Church and shared over seventy years of joyful, faithful marriage. Together, they raised six children in a home grounded in faith, laughter, and love. Pat was Leonard’s constant, his joy, and the quiet force behind the life they built together. She brought him—and their entire family—boundless happiness. Leonard would be the first to say she deserves canonization.

Leonard and Pat were blessed with thirteen grandchildren and sixteen—soon to be seventeen—great-grandchildren. Leonard, affectionately known as “Bucko,” was adored by all. Together, Leonard and Pat modeled a life shaped by generosity, hospitality, faith, laughter, and love.

Through decades of church services, weddings, funerals, celebrations, and the inevitable trials of a long and beautiful life, Leonard remained steadfast, joyful, and unmistakably himself. We know precisely where he is today—holding court with Jesus, the saints, and the sinners alike, his timing and good humor unmistakable, with a twinkle in his Irish eyes.

Leonard was predeceased by his parents, Mary and Raymond; his brother Joe (Ann Murray); his sisters Paula (David Little) and Ann (Gus Gossett); and his brother-in-law Karl Chambers. He shared close and loving relationships with all his siblings; his sister Kathleen Chambers, the last surviving sibling, remained a cherished presence in his life.

He was predeceased by their son Leonard and grandson Nick. He is survived by their daughter Mary (Max); son Martin (Kim); and daughters Kathleen, Paula (Walter), and Nancy (Steve), and daughter-in-law, Sandy. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Sláinte.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Carmelite Nuns of Colorado: 

https://www.carmeliteslittleton.org/

Feed My Lambs Ministry for the recently displaced orphan children in Montrouis, Haiti:

 https://gofund.me/296f496fb