Obituary of Leonardo A. Paulino

Leonardo A. Paulino, 91, of Lansdowne, VA passed away on December 6, 2016. Born on August 10, 1925, son of the late Dr. Jose and Sixta Paulino of Malabon, Rizal in the Philippines, he was preceded in death by his sisters Herminia and Marina. Leonardo completed his B.S. in Agricultural Engineering at the University of the Philippines, received his masters degree from University of Wisconsin in Madison and earned his doctorate degree from Michigan State University in East Lansing in Agricultural Economics. His career spanned 42 years and included positions as college professor, field statistician within the Philippine Department of Agriculture, Director of the Bureau of Agricultural Economics, and Consultant for the Asian Development Bank. He and his family relocated to the Washington, DC area in 1977 when he took on the role of Research Fellow for the International Food Policy Research Institute. He retired in 1991 as Research Fellow Emeritus. A published researcher, Leonardo’s work on food production and trade data in the third world helped improve the analysis and accuracy of information for policy development. He helped as many scholars as possible to gain education in the United States to improve the area of agricultural economics. He mentored several members of the agricultural research community who have gone on to take significant leadership roles in the industry. He remains respected for his intelligence, his integrity and his sincere concern for people within his sphere of influence. Leonardo enjoyed sports: swimming, basketball, tennis and watching football (Go Redskins!). A technician at heart, Leonardo embraced the constant changing technologies of our time, from early computer programming all the way to social media, having his own FaceBook page. A problem-solver, he enjoyed everything from being Mr. Fix-it at home to figuring out challenging crossword puzzles and computer games. He traveled the world extensively throughout his life, but seemed happiest when on beach vacations with family or relaxing at home with his wife of 57 years. Leonardo cared deeply about family. He led by example with his love, integrity, simplicity, sense of humor and his desire to do what was right. He is survived by his sister, Leticia Santos, his wife, Emma, and their four daughters: Cristina (Randy) Binzer of Spencer, IA, Jeanette (Charlie) Puritano of Fairfax Station, VA, Aileen (Tim) Canan of Purcellville, VA and Melissa (Tom) Goldman of Nashville, TN; his nine grandchildren: Lauren, Joe, Alex, Ben, Nick, Chris, Sofia, Brian and Katie, and his one great-granddaughter: Emma, daughter of Lauren and Craig Cunningham of Wichita, KS. The family is eternally grateful for the blessing of Dad/Lolo/Great-Lolo in their lives. The family will receive friends from 10 AM to 11 AM on Saturday, Dec 17 at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Ashburn, VA. Visitation will be followed by the funeral Mass at 11 AM. Interment will be held privately at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Inova Neuroscience Institute (http://foundation.inova.org/memorial-and-honor-gifts).