Eric Leaper, 66, of Waynesboro, PA passed away on Wednesday September 24, 2025 at Hershey Medical Center following his long and courageous battle with cancer. Eric was preceded in death by his parents Jacob R. and Phyllis (Wilkinson) Leaper of Patton, PA, and his sister Jill (Leaper) Lechene of Mountville, PA.
Eric is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 41 years, Melissa R. (Quist) Leaper and their two sons: Jacob W. Leaper and MacKenzie R. Leaper, and family, of Waynesboro, PA. Eric is also survived by his three nieces, April Link, Chelsea Reese, and Skylar Lechene along with the large extended family he married into and all of the “stray” children who he took under his wing and nurtured through the years.
Eric’s early years were enjoyed in his hometown of Patton, PA where he attended Cambria Heights High School, graduating in the class of 1976. This is where his father began nurturing his love for all things outdoors, Eric was an accomplished and avid outdoorsman with a well-rounded skillset. Through the years Eric instilled this same boundless love for all natural things into his own two sons and all of those who he came to know.
Eric graduated from Mount Aloysius College in 1978 while working at K&J Coal Company before marrying the love of his life and absconding to Ohio to begin his career as a Facilities Engineer. In 1987, Maryland became home where Eric and Melissa would start their family and begin raising their two boys. With a desire to move back to Pennsylvania, in 2003 Eric accepted a position as Director of Facilities Maintenance at Capital Camps & Retreat Center in Waynesboro, PA which became his home for the remaining 21 years of his working career. After his retirement in December of 2023, Eric remained a very active member of his community, serving as the Waynesboro Volunteer Fire Department Santa Clause, maintaining his roles within his church, serving as a dedicated member of the American Legion and always working to keep PA’s trout streams well stocked!
Eric was a man of many talents and skills with strong character and will, above all else, Eric was a loving husband, father, and provider.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eric’s name to the Waynesboro Volunteer Fire Company and/or Hershey Cancer Center.
Friends and family are invited to an open house Celebration of Life on October 22, 2025 which will be on-going from 12:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. to be held at Capital Camps & Retreat Center at 12750 Buchanan Trial East, Waynesboro, PA 17268.
Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro, is assisting with the arrangements.
