The Yeoman Family

LEINBACH, ESTHER V. 1924-2006. A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006, at the Laurelwood Golf Course in Eugene for Esther Vashti Leinbach who died peacefully at home with her family on Oct. 14, 2006, of congestive heart failure at the age of 82. She was born Feb. 29, 1924, in Sherwood to Arthur and Buena Evans. Esther served in the Navy Hospital Corps in 1944. In 1946, while studying by the pool at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, she met Albert Leinbach. He could not help noticing her stunning red hair which would be her trademark to many others for more than 50 years. Albert and Esther were married on Aug. 31, 1947. After their marriage, Esther left school to work, while Albert finished school. After working for several years, she returned to Lewis & Clark and, in 1954, graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology. She worked for the Yamhill County Welfare Office as a caseworker from 1954 to 1958. She was also very active in peace education, working with the Fellowship of Reconciliation and serving on the Peace Committee of the American Friends Service Committee. She rode the 1948 Peace Train to Washington, D.C. In 1956, Albert and Esther joined the Portland Friends Meeting. Her passion for peace work seemed to lead naturally to her interest in spirituality and healing. During the 1950s she became very interested in nutrition, studying the work of Adelle Davis and other pioneers of the natural foods and alternative healing movements. She also studied the work of Edgar Cayce on diet and natural healing. She was also very interested in polarity. Her aunt, Grace Hutson, a nurse, introduced her to the study of astrology in 1961. Her work in astrology became a lifelong pursuit and passion. She used her training in counseling and humanistic psychology and her passion for the work of Otto Rank and Carl Jung as she began to delve into the field of astrology. She and Albert moved to Eugene in 1958 where they joined the Eugene Friends Meeting and became active in the peace movement locally. Esther also joined the local Theosophical Society and began more than 10 years of study and research that led to her first book on astrology, "Degrees of the Zodiac," published by Macoy Publishing in 1972. "Degrees" was followed soon after by "Planets and Asteroids," and "Sun Ascendant Rulerships," published by Vulcan Books, Inc. She published three more books privately: "Numerology," "Transits" and "Quincunxes." Esther taught astrology privately and at Lane Community College. She worked out of her house as a private astrological consultant. She spoke at astrological conventions in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas and Denver as well as many other venues. She also gave free readings at the Book & Tea every Friday for many years. She was a lifetime member of the International Society for Astrological Research (ISAR). In 1983, she began publishing a daily forecast which was eventually titled Daily Astrological Currents. In 1992, she formed Esther & Son with her son, Kevin, and began one of the first astrological Web sites on the Internet, offering her forecasts, and providing telephone, e-mail and written consultations. Her interests and hobbies were many and varied. She enjoyed knitting and sewing, bridge, antiques and organic gardening. She also enjoyed theatre, music and art. She is survived by her brother, Herman Evans; her husband, Albert; her son, Kevin and her daughter, Cathryn Russell. She was a devoted mother, wife, friend, teacher and passionate student of the human condition. She was deeply loved and is deeply missed. The Family suggests remembrances to Lewis & Clark College, American Friends Service Committee, Kepler College of Astrological Arts and Sciences, or Cascade Hospice. Arrangements by Musgrove Family Mortuary.