At Camp Pahaquarra in the early 1960’s, Ranger Lennie Lee Rue was my supervisor as I had been hired as a nature counselor for the summer. He always had answers for my questions which was so impressive that I stayed with Boy Scouts and spent the time required to learn enough to earn Eagle Scout.

Thanks.

You were a great man and an inspiration Lenny! May you rest peacefully on your wings in Heaven!

I was fortunate to be able to spend an evening with Mr. Rue way back in the early 80's. What a delightful and down to earth man. I even went home and brought back my book I had of his for him to sign. He was an extraordinary man when he viewed the world through the lens of his camera. I always remembered that evening and Mr. Rue was a mentor for many of us wildlife managers. Rest in Peace

I met Lennie in 2017. His connection with our community of Kane PA and the Great Plain Buffalo wolves dates back to 1959 when he photographed Dr McCleery’s wolves. Dr McCleery began saving the Great Plain Buffalo wolves from Montana in 1921 from extinction. The federal government had an eradication program to eliminate this sub species from the wild. By the early 1930’s they accomplished that, McCleery had purchased wolf pups from the Biological Survey and had over 30 pups in an eight year time frame. Lennie came to see McCleery & his wolves in December 1959 and photographed them. He stayed with McCleery at his wolf park. At that time there were over 60 wolves in the pack. Lennie published his article in the October 1960 Alaskan Sportsman Magazine entitled “He Loves Wolves”. Because of his publication Jack Lynch living in Wisconsin read about the wolves, came to Kane on Thanksgiving 1960 and a year later bought the pack and moved to Kane. Dr McCleery died in 1962 at the age of 94. Jack kept the wolves in Kane & continued breeding & protecting this sub species. Today there are 23 wolves remaining and living in a preserve back in Montana. Fascinating history. But because of Lennie’s article he is the LINK between McCleery and Lynch. Without his article published in 1960 the wolves might have been gone at that time. Lennie welcomed us to his house on two occasions - fascinating discussion with him and Uschi. Such wonderful people. I I am the Executive Director and so blessed that I have gotten to know Lennie during the past 5-years. God Speed Lennie - we will always be so grateful and plan to continue to share this story and your involvement in preserving these wolves.

God Bless you

Richard Bly

McCleery Wolf Center

Kane PA

Q: How did you meet Leonard?

A: He used to come to my school in Wanaque NJ to give presentations on his photography trips. I met him in the 3rd grade. I’m 54 yrs old now. I remember he did a slide show on a trip to Nepal. I liked the turquoise jewelry he wore and I remember talking with him about it. He was a great photographer and story teller. I followed and looked for his photos on Whitetail Deer in my Dads hunting magazines all my life. You left a great impression on me Leonard. Rest In Peace. Every time I see a deer in the woods I’ll think of you!!

Lenny was considered to be part of our family...the Hicks family in Belvidere. He was a dear and true friend. My prayers and sympathy to all.

Alhough I've never met "Lenny," I did feel as thou I did get to know him through his many beautiful Photos which were absolutely amazing! His talent and his caring of Animal Life and Nature was so obviously felt thru each of his Photos! His Memory will last always through All of his Photos and Works. May God Bless his Family, Dear Friends and his Many Friends that knew him only through his Photos! R.I.P. "Lenny!"

John D. Rosenkrans

Formerly of Sparta, NJ

I unfortunately never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Rue, but whenever I heard his name, it inspired a sense of awe. I don't remember how I first learned of Mr. Rue, but I think it was through a friend in high school who was familiar with his works. My mom was a friend of the Mease's and knew Tim Rue and his wife, Mary. (I knew Mary through high school and am friends with her brother Mike). We have a couple of his books, but I wish I could have known Mr. Rue in person. I'm sure he was as wonderful in person as he sounds in print, even more so. My condolences to all his family and friends. May he be with our Lord in Heaven now.

My Dad worked with Lennie at the Hosiery Mill.He was younger than Dad who had been with the old Welwood silk mill which closed after WWII. Dad was very much impressed with Lennie's excitement about photography. It became a lifelong habit of Dad's to look to see if his work was in magazines which we then did too. We did then also have some of his books in our home which I now have and other memorabilia when his name appeared. It always made Dad glad to follow his work and know how well Lennie was doing. Our condolences to his family from the Brooks family.

Truly a legend and inspiration to all in this North Warren County area. Left an impression of the value of nature and our environment. He had a keen sense of the habitat of animals, which transformed into his photos and lectures. His life works will go on. God Bless.

Mr Rue…this man gave me the most inspiration to learn to live with nature respectfully. I looked so forward to his presentations in elementary school Port Colden. His lessons are still with me today and now passed on ti my boys and grandchildren

He was a true gift to the great outdoors and I am sure he will continue to give his knowledge for generations

Thank you and May God Bless you while in heaven

I am so very sorry to read about your loved one. Lennie was such an inspiration to all us at Central School, Great Meadows NJ in the 60's. We loved his slide show adventures and speaking presentations. I was thinking about the good olde days recently and he popped into my head as a happy memory as a kid. Thank you, Mr. Lennie for sharing your love of the outdoors and making our days at school special.

For me, Lennie Rue was a most helpful friend. He answered every question I ever asked him about wildlife during our occasional phone talks.

In his books as in his conversations he shared his encyclopedic knowledge of wildlife. And he always made it perfectly clear that what he so generously shared with you, you should generously share with others. Many times he told me "Jim, if we do this right - they'll replace us."

I'm not sure there is anyone who could replace Leonard Lee Rue III. But I now there will be many who follow in his footsteps.

Thinking of Lennie in his later years enjoying his home and porch and feeders and pond - keeping track of the wildlife he spotted and a list of the birds Uschi told him she had seen on her walks makes me realize that, of all the things Lennie taught me, perhaps the greatest was to thank God every day for simply being able to love what you are doing and have someone to share it with.

Lennie will be missed.

Jim and Deanna Arnosky

Condolences and Prayers to the Family. Lenny was not only a friend to my Father, Nel’s Dalrymple but truly admired by his work.

Judy Dalrymple Brandt

Mr . Rue, You certainly played an important part of my love of nature. My father ( Dr. John J McDonald) and you were great friends and I remember the early years of your visits to our Belvidere home.

Later, when I went to Amackassin in Blairstown for study. I was privileged to have you once a week for wildlife study and Riflery.

Thank you for the gifts you bestowed in me as an animal advocate and wildlife enthusiast.

Kim P McDonald

Bath, Pa

The staff of MacFadden Funeral Home extend our deepest condolences to you and your family on the passing of your loved one. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy for your loss. May our thoughts and prayers provide comfort for your family during this difficult time.