TOGETHERNESS: Doug and Ruth Leaman (second and fourth from the left, top row) gather with their children and grandchildren on the 20th Street beach in Ship Bottom in 2015. The author, their youngest child, is on the left wearing a white shirt. (Supplied photo)
Author’s Note: Being an enthusiastic writer of stories encompassing religion, Hollywood, politics, life, and love, I like to imagine that if my father, a contributor to this page, were present to craft one more article about his life, it might unfold something like this:
Douglass Lester Leaman was brought into this world on Nov. 29, 1936, with such fervor that his mother nearly delivered him in the car. This dramatic entrance seemed to foreshadow the indelible mark he would leave on the world.
At the tender age of 13, amidst the playgrounds of Philadelphia’s Overbrook neighborhood, Doug discovered his first passion: basketball. With only a single worn-out pair of sneakers to his name during the challenging times of the Great Depression, he honed his skills on makeshift courts with peach baskets serving as hoops attached to telephone poles. The evolution to more sophisticated courts featuring nylon nets brought a new level of excitement, especially the melodious swish of the ball through the silky net. It was on these courts that he perfected his beloved two-handed set shot.
His high school years at Overbrook afforded him the privilege of playing alongside basketball legend “Wilt the Stilt” Chamberlain on the varsity team. This early immersion in the world of basketball laid the foundation for his future endeavors. Doug continued his basketball journey at St. Joseph’s University while also pursuing a degree in education. During this period, a significant milestone was his conversion to Catholicism, a pivotal part of his spiritual journey.
Post-college, feeling unprepared to dive into the professional realm, Doug made the bold decision to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. Following basic training, he was not only enlisted to play but also to coach the Marine Corps basketball team—an unexpected stroke of luck. His Marine Corps stint in Hawaii eventually led to a warehouse assignment at Camp Lejeune, affording him weekends off to indulge in another cherished pastime: the beach.
Having worked as a lifeguard in Wildwood during his college summers, Doug spent his days scanning the sun-kissed shores, ever vigilant to spring into action if the need arose. Evenings were a different story, filled with camaraderie, music, and socializing with friends.
A fateful encounter at the Shamrock Bar introduced Doug to the woman who would capture his heart—Ruth Elizabeth Mace, a vision of beauty akin to his movie star crush Cyd Charisse. Ruth, the embodiment of his dreams, would later become his wife, his lifelong companion.
Their union in 1965, preceded by a courtship of about a year, was commemorated with their special song, Nat King Cole’s “That Sunday, That Summer,” the very tune they had danced to at the Shamrock. Embracing the responsibilities of marriage, Doug embarked on his teaching career, securing a position in the Norristown School District that coincided with an opportunity to assist in coaching the eighth-grade basketball team.
As his teaching vocation blossomed, so did his family. Blessed with four children, each uniquely gifted, Doug and Ruth endeavored to impart the values of hard work, dedication, and unconditional love, alongside a zest for life and an appreciation for the wonders of creation. The arrival of eight grandchildren further enriched their lives, reflecting these cherished values.
Yet, amidst the blessings, a longing persisted. Despite settling in a charming cape in Oaks, Pa., surrounded by nature’s splendor, Doug and Ruth nurtured a shared aspiration—to acquire a beach retreat in Ship Bottom. Through perseverance and sacrifice, they realized this dream, creating enduring memories with their loved ones through shared traditions and gatherings.
As Doug reflects on a life well-lived at the age of 87, he entrusts his legacy to his wife, children, and grandchildren, hoping that the essence of his being will endure through them. With a heart full of gratitude, he bids adieu, content in the knowledge that his life story has become a cherished chapter in the book of existence.
Karen (Leaman) Sbei of Phoenixville, Pa., is the youngest child of Douglass Leaman.