Ray A. Leibensperger August 25, 1930 - May 9, 2025

Ray A. Leibensperger, 94, was born on August 25, 1930, the middle child of Esther (nee Bortz) and Allen Leibensperger. He passed away in his home on the evening of May 9, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Ray grew up in East Texas, PA and graduated from Emmaus High School in 1948. He joined the National Guard and married his high school sweetheart, Nancy (nee Weida) on August 12th,1950, before leaving for Korea.

Ray served his country during the Korean War as an Army Sergeant First Class, spending 7 months in the Motor Pool in the combat zone of Pusan Harbor. He earned the Korean Service Medal as well as a Bronze Star. Interestingly, he received his honorable discharge from the Army on May 9, the same day of his passing. After his discharge, he and Nancy settled in his hometown of East Texas, PA, where they raised their three children: Anne, Russ, and Lynne.

When he returned from Korea in 1952, Ray followed in his father’s footsteps by purchasing his first four school buses, and the Leibensperger School Transportation business grew steadily. His gleaming yellow fleet became a familiar sight for generations of school children by serving the East Penn, Northampton, and Salisbury Township school districts. In 1971, Ray formed Leibensperger Transportation Sales, which sold new school buses as well as airport shuttle-type white buses. In 1977, son Russ joined the business, and the father-son Leibensperger legacy continued. By 1982, the expansion required a move from East Texas to a new complex on Route 100 in Macungie. A portion of the business was sold to Laidlaw Transit in 1987. Still, the Leibensperger bus sales business kept the name synonymous with school buses in his eastern PA territory for decades thereafter.

As a man of many talents, Ray could build and/or fix anything, and he was selfless in sharing his expertise. Ray became an avid golfer later in his career and could frequently be found on the links at Brookside Country Club. He loved boating weekends on Lake Wallenpaupack, and later in his golden years divided his golfing and boating time between the Lehigh Valley, the Chesapeake, and Florida.

Ray generously lent his expertise to his professional community and as an esteemed civic leader. He was a Charter Member of the National School Bus Association and served two separate three-year terms as President of the Pennsylvania School Bus Association. He was a Board Member of Lower Macungie Township Recreation Commission, president and treasurer of the East Texas Playground Association, and a member of the Emmaus Kiwanis Club for many years.

Ray is survived by his brother, Bob Leibensperger of Canton, OH; three children: Anne Leibensperger of East Texas, Russ Leibensperger (Donna) of Zionsville, and Lynne Roth (Jack) of Wescosville; four grandchildren: Amanda DeMarco (Joe) of East Haven, CT, Adam Leibensperger (Cory) of Arnold, MD, Brian Roth (Catherine) of Bethlehem, and Matt Roth (Maggie) of Oakton, VA; Great-grandchildren: Anna, Laura, and Katie Roth, Baby-Boy-To-Be Leibensperger/DeMarco, Dean and Dana Doubek; Nephews: Allen, John, and Kurt and their families; beloved caregivers Erwin and Grace Pedroso, Anna Ungureanu, Colleen Ecker, Elena Capparell, and Julie Ungureanu.  In addition to his parents, Ray was predeceased by his wife, sister Madlyn Haines, brother- in-law Paul Haines, sister-in-law Donna Leibensperger (Ohio); and companion Jean McFadden.

Services: A celebration of Ray’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Sunday, May 18th in the Stephens Funeral Home, Inc. 274 North Krocks Road, Allentown. Friends and family may call from 9:30 – 11:00 A.M. Sunday in the funeral home. Military honors will conclude the service. www.stephensfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made towards a tree-of-life to be planted in honor of Ray at https://www.tmcfunding.com/funds/ray-a-leibensperger-tree-of-life/13307/, or a Charity of one’s choice.