Jay Leitch

Dr. Jay A. Leitch, Dean & Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Retired USNR-R, passed away at his home, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at the age of 75. He fought a year-long battle with mesothelioma. At Jay’s request, there will be no funeral service. A private, family celebration of life will be held at a later date. 

Jay was born to Andy and Carol (Ank) Leitch in Fergus Falls, MN on September 20, 1948. His family moved often throughout his childhood, spending time living in Elbow Lake, Detroit Lakes, and Battle Lake in Otter Tail County. Jay enlisted in the Navy in 1968, having spent part of his active duty on the USS Hancock aircraft carrier during the Vietnam war. Following active duty, he continued to serve his country as a Naval Intelligence Office in the Navy Reserves, retiring in 1992. He earned degrees from Minnesota State University Moorhead, North Dakota State University, and the University of Minnesota, each of which helped fuel his distinguished 30 year career as a faculty member at NDSU. Jay was also the first graduate student of the Natural Resources Management program at NDSU. He taught in the NDSU College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources before serving as Dean of the NDSU College of Business Administration from 1997 to 2004. Courses he taught, and research he conducted, focused on the economics of the region’s natural resources with an emphasis on water management. He retired from NDSU in 2010. During his professional career he held leadership positions on numerous university, national, and international boards and committees and the full list of positions he held would take up far too many lines to include here. He authored and co-authored several books, hundreds of magazine and professional journal articles, and directed the mapping of the Red River of the North and Otter Tail River for recreational paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts. Jay was well recognized and respected in water management circles as an expert and stringent advocate for the efficient use of these resources. He had a flair for challenging people to think differently and question how things are done. Some of the recent comments about Jay from people who knew him include “a man of few words”, “easy-going”, “witty”, “the smartest man in the room, but always spent more time listening than talking”, “unusually intelligent and perceptive man”, “a great mentor”, and “one of my favorites”.

Jay married Becky Bekkerus in December of 1990 and they made their home in Moorhead, MN along the banks of the Red River, where they raised their twins, Forrest and Rachel. Jay was an avid hunter and fisherman and passed his love for the outdoors to his children. He had a passion for darkhouse-spearfishing and was dedicated to educating others about the sport, taking many people out fishing for their first time. He wrote the first book published on the sport of darkhouse-spearfishing. He had a similar passion for catfishing, co-wrote a book about the sport with his close friend and colleague, Tom DeSutter, and took many people fishing for catfish on the Red River. Of all his published works, his books on channel catfishing and darkhouse-spearfishing were personal favorites. 

His military career and profession took him on travels to many countries all over the world with Becky and the twins accompanying him on some of his travels. Whenever possible, he made arrangements for hunting or fishing outings and enjoyed many exotic animal hunts in countries like South Africa, New Zealand, and Ireland. He lived an amazing life full of adventure and dedicated his free time to exposing others to the great outdoors.

Jay is survived by his wife Becky, his oldest son Philip Leitch, twins Forrest Leitch and Rachel Langley (Jake), sisters Susy Taylor (Todd) and Melissa O’Donnell, brother Guy Leitch (Rowena), brothers and sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law Mike O’Donnell, and nephew Luke Leitch.

A fond memory of Jay, shared by one of his friends, was how he always taught by example, and being kind to others was his trademark. Daily, while seeing his children off to school, he would tell them “Be nice to everybody”, as he himself was nice to everyone he met.

The Leitch family wishes to extend their sincerest appreciation to the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center, his oncologist Dr. Almquist, Sanford Fargo Hospice staff, in particular Paula and Angie, for their compassionate care of Jay and all of the friends and family who have supported our family during this difficult time.