Leslie H. "Les" Black, 81, of Taylor Ridge, passed away on Friday, September 25, 2015 at the V.A. Medical Center, Iowa City. A memorial service for Mr. Black will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, October 10, 2015 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Rock Island. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Mr. Black was born on March 3, 1934 in Lancaster, Kentucky, a son of William and Margaret Kavanaugh Black. After serving in the U.S. Army, he graduated from Kentucky State University in 1960 while a member of the Army Reserve and immediately began his Federal Service career at the Ordnance Intern Training Center, Toledo, Ohio. He proudly served 19 of his 38-year federal career as the Director, Directorate of Industrial Operations, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Illinois, and its predecessor organizations. In 1999, he was inducted into the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame, where he was described as "a leader in the Army's efforts to modernize its tool resources." He advocated quality tool kits and tools for soldiers and continuously sought ways to improve the quality of products in the Army Tool Kit Program. He led the design and development of three prototype tool kits, which were successfully field-tested in 1997. His modification of five-ton trucks with Organization Shop Sets and Tool Kit programs in 1994 with its laser-etched tools, foam inserts and computerized inventory list resulted in substantial cost savings for aviation maintenance units worldwide. His Tool Kits and Tool Chest Program in 1996 were adopted as a means to overhaul the Army's hand tool inventory. Mr. Black developed and introduced inexpensive, lightweight toolboxes as replacements for the expensive heavy metal boxes for aviation tools. His new toolboxes were appreciated by troops in the field because they were lighter, corrosion free and easier to transport. During the Persian Gulf War, Mr. Black and his staff responded to an urgent call for help from the commander of two Iowa National Guard units to paint their equipment for deployment in three days. They worked around the clock to wash, mask, paint and stencil all 103 vehicles in time for deployment. His organization earned the personal thanks of the President of the United States and then- Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney for their "unselfish and generous contribution to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces serving in the Persian Gulf." Also under his leadership, the Directorate of Industrial Operations completed the prototype Production of the Heavy Mobility Contact Maintenance Trucks. Their success led to the funding of 125 additional units. According to the Ordnance Corps, "Mr. Black earned a stellar reputation as one of the country's best future-thinking leaders making it possible for the Ordnance Corps to stride into the 21st Century with confidence and ready to serve the line with honor." Mr. Black loved his work, his family and his great big backyard garden.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Liliane Brechet, daughter Cherie Black, daughter Christine Black, brother Lee M. Black, brother-in-law Pierre (Elizabeth) Brechet, two grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members and friends in the States and overseas. Online condolences may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com.