Leonard Albert Richard Golding passed away suddenly on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at his home in Auburn Township. He was 81.

Leonard — also known as Len to friends, family and colleagues — was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on October 14, 1941, to Charles and Clare Golding. He attended Christian Brothers’ College Waverley (now Waverley College), graduated at age 16, and went on to earn a dual Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree from the University of Sydney in 1964. After completing general surgical training at several Sydney hospitals, Len was awarded fellowship in the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1970. The opportunity to pursue a residency in cardiac surgery at Presbyterian University Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, brought Leonard, his first wife and their young family to the U.S. in 1972.

He joined Cleveland Clinic in 1974 and during his 40-year tenure was a cardiothoracic surgeon, biomedical researcher and educator. He was instrumental in the study and development of blood pump devices in cardiac patients and helped initiate the cardiac transplant program. From 1989 to 1991, Leonard was also Acting Chairman of the Department of Artificial Organs. During the 2000s, he led the research team for the SmartHeart Total Artificial Heart program. And from 2004 on, in addition to his research efforts, he also served as an Adjunct Professor of Surgery with Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. Teaching medical students provided Leonard an opportunity to share his knowledge and experience as a surgeon and researcher with the next generation of “physician investigators.”

Retiring from full-time work in 2014 afforded him time to be a gentleman farmer at Walkabout Farm, the home in Auburn Township he shared with Linda, his wife of 40 years. Mending fences, planting a summer garden, and working on his John Deere tractor kept him busy, as did tinkering with electronics around the house. During the holidays, he looked forward to time with family; good food, good wine and Leonard’s dramatic storytelling were at the heart of every gathering. He was an Auburn resident for 29 years, an active member of the Burton-Middlefield Rotary Club, and participated in a local golf league. And while he wasn’t much of a traveler, a trip to the beach could always put a smile on his face.

In addition to his wife Linda, Leonard is survived by his children, Annette Golding of Redwood City, CA, Michael (Leslie) Golding of Philadelphia, PA and Julianne (Michael) Rigot of Toledo, OH; stepdaughter DeVonne (Anthony) Lindsey of Tampa, FL; grandsons Ian, Alec and Connor; brother Graeme Golding and sister Beverly (Brian) Pottie of New South Wales, Australia. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Clare, and a granddaughter, Sydney Salem Golding.

A gathering with the family (all are invited to this public gathering) to remember Leonard will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South Street, Chardon, OH 44024. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to The Salvation Army, NE Ohio Division, 2507 East 22nd Street, Cleveland, OH 44115 or to the Burton Middlefield Rotary Club.

Arrangements are by the Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Chardon, Ohio.

 Information and condolences on-line at www.burrservice.com.