He was born April 1, 1947, in New York City to Thomas Dimock Leonard, Jr and Elizabeth Anne Kolbert.

He grew up in South Hampton, graduating from The Dublin School in 1965, before studying Aeronautical Engineering at Embry Riddle University.

He next served in the Air Force in the Vietnam Theater. After his service, he was employed by Douglas Aircraft in California before rebelling from corporate life to successfully race Formula Atlantic cars in England. He then moved to Texas to start a family and build airplanes.

Nick was a mechanical genius and a loner. He built and repaired many aircraft at his shop in Pipe Creek and was himself an accomplished sailplane pilot. He was also a serious blue water sailor, crossing the Pacific and later the North Atlantic alone on his 32' yacht, Mistral. He picked up racing again in his later years, earning the checkered flag into his 75th year. He split his time between Texas and Virginia in order to spend time with his son and grandchildren, who dearly loved 'Pa!'

He is survived by his brothers Thomas and Anthony of California, son Nicholas Jr in Virginia, his future daughter-in-law Diana, and their children Charlotte, Marilynn, Hazel, and his shadow, Frederick 'Fritzie.' He will be dearly missed, and was the best Dad to his grateful son, who will always love him.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests donations to the Medina Children's Home in his honor.

Services will be held at Bandera Funeral Chapel on July 24, 2026, with viewing at 2PM and services at 3PM. Reception to follow, details forthcoming.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Bandera Funeral Chapel.