Robert L. Leach was born in Lubbock and married Mary Peter on July 18, 1970 in Mendon, Ill. He graduated from Monterey High School and received a bachelor's degree in entomology from Texas Tech University, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He worked for Monsanto Chemical Corporation, Brayton Chemical Corporation, and Helena Chemical Corporation, where he was district manager. He owned Ag-Watch Crop Consulting Service and founded and directed the Professional Crop Consultants of Illinois. He was a farmer for 20 years.

0224NM16