2019 Hall of Fame Inductee – Dr. Albert Leyerle

The 2019 inductee into the OSU Army ROTC Alumni Hall of Fame is Dr. Albert H. Leyerle, a distinguished scholar and teacher of law and a committed community servant-leader whose OSU Army ROTC and military experiences helped shape his personal life and career.

Albert H. Leyerle (B.A., Business Administration, OSU) was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, and branched Artillery, in the Army Reserve in June 1954.  He served in the 24th Division, Korea, 1955-1956 (16 months), for a brief time as Forward Observer (21st Infantry Battalion), and then as Executive Officer of Charlie (C) Battery, 24th Division, 52nd Field Artillery Battalion on line at the DMZ.  Later in his Korea tour, he served in Headquarters, 24th Division Artillery as the Air-Ground Operations Office (G3 Air). As a result of this assignment, 1LT Leyerle satisfactorily completed the Indoctrination Course of the Far East Air Ground Operations School in Tokyo, Japan.  In October 1956 1LT Leyerle returned to the United States, was promoted to Captain in 1960, and remained in the Army Reserve until honorably discharged in June 1964.

Following military service, Al earned his Doctor of Laws degree from Case Western University and entered a long and successful civilian career in the law profession, including general law attorney, Internal Revenue Service criminal investigator, associate counsel for a major bank, and educator.  During his 22-year professorship at Akron University, Al taught thousands of students, in addition to producing many articles, publications, and speeches, in the field of Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Fiduciary Administration.  He served as liaison for international visitors and faculty to Akron University and was himself selected and served as a Fulbright Scholar in England in 1989-90.  In his retirement he has been in demand as a visiting (and distinguished visiting) professor of law at a half dozen colleges and universities.

Among many, notable community service activities, Al is a life member of the Korean War Veterans Association, Akron Chapter #138, where he raises funds and serves on the Honor Guard and Final Salute Team for burials of Korean War veterans.

Al and his wife Suzanne have been dedicated supporters of OSU and AROTC by their gifts and their presence at Buckeye Battalion and alumni events.