Leo A. Bares

Leo "Lee" Allan Bares, 86, of Staunton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah House in Fishersville. He was the devoted husband of Sharon Knopp Bares for fifty-three years.

Lee was born in Beach, North Dakota, on November 7, 1939, to the late Norbert Henry and Laura Francis Moyer Bares, one of five sons.

He grew up helping his father on their wheat farm near Beach and playing American Legion baseball. He graduated as Valedictorian from Beach High School, then earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Dickinson State College in North Dakota. Driven by curiosity and his desire to always learn more, he pursued and completed a master’s degree at Montana State University. Wanting to learn if teaching at the college level was possible, he taught at Purdue University – Fort Wayne for three years. Realizing he needed to earn his PhD., he went to Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA and earned his Doctorate. Lee met Sharon at Virginia Tech, and they were married in 1972. After graduation, he returned to Purdue - Fort Wayne and taught there for seven years. In 1979, they moved to Asheville, NC and Lee took a tenured position in chemistry at the University of North Carolina – Asheville. He taught there for twenty-five years, earning a Full Professorship and retired in 2004 as Emeritus Professor.

While in Asheville, Lee and Sharon began enjoying western-style square dancing and were actively involved in this for forty years. They participated in dancing at the local, state and national level, travelling and making many friends. Retirement allowed Lee time to hike in the North Carolina mountains he so loved, do some fly-fishing, travel on cruises, and read, read and read. In 2011, Lee and Sharon moved to her hometown of Staunton, VA.

Lee is survived by his wife, Sharon Nancy Knopp Bares; his brothers, William Anthony Bares and his wife, Collene of Fargo, Lawrence "Larry" Joseph Bares of Dickinson, and Richard Hugo Bares and his wife, Peggy of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Many beloved nieces and nephews also survive him.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Earl V. Bares and his sister-in-law, Elaine Bares.

He was a member of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Waynesboro and became involved in many church activities and served on the Parish Council.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Henry Funeral Home in Staunton.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 27, 2026, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Waynesboro.

Inurnment at Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton will be private.

It is suggested that those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah (c/o Augusta Health Foundation, P.O. Box 1000, Fishersville, VA 22939).