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Capt. Bainbridge B. Leland (Retired) USCG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 13, 1921-June 10, 2011

Bainbridge was born in Clifton Springs, N.Y., to Charles and Lillian Leland. He grew up in the Finger Lakes region, graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1943, and served in World War II.

In 1944, he married Virginia Guisness of Alameda and had four children - Capt. Charles R. Leland USCG (and Lynne), of Oregon; Bud (and Jeanne) Leland, of Sacramento; Dr. Ted (and Stefanie) Leland, of Stockton; and Kate Leland, of Sonoma. Bain and Virginia celebrated their 67th anniversary with six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

As an officer in the Coast Guard, Bainbridge spent most of his career at sea. His many tours of duty included commanding officer of the USCG Dexter, the CO of Coast Guard Island in Alameda and the ice breaker Burton Island. As a senior officer, he was stationed on Governor's Island in New York City as deputy commander of the Eastern Area. Capt. Leland was well-liked among his men and respected by his peers. His adventures in the late 1960s ushering a fleet of Coast Guard Ice Breakers in and out of Antarctica ("Operation Deep Freeze") resulted in a National Geographic movie and a mountain there being named in his honor - Mount Leland.

After retiring from USCG, Bain and Virginia settled in the Bay Area where he took on a second career as a senior safety engineer for Chevron Shipping. From 1984 to 1990, he served as president of the California Board of Pilot Commissioners, an organization that dates back to the Gold Rush. During his tenure, he presided over the amalgamation of the Bar Pilots and the Inland Pilots. Even in "full retirement," he was active as president of both his local homeowners' association and the Sonoma Valley Hospital Auxiliary.

Bainbridge was recently preceded in death by his oldest son, Capt. Charles R. Leland (deceased 11/2/10) and his beloved wife, Virginia Guisness Leland (deceased 3/14/11).

His memory remains in the heart of his family, who would like to thank O'Connor Woods and Lodi Memorial Hospital for their exemplary and loving care.

At his request, services will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Sonoma Valley Hospital Auxiliary, 347 Andrieux St., Sonoma, CA 95476.