THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 19, 1994 TAG: 9406170190
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Rebecca Myers
DATELINE: 940619 LENGTH: Long
``Shhhhhh, I'm not supposed to use that word!'' he said of his July 1st retirement after spending 34 years in the Coast Guard.
{REST} ``It's a transition,'' he corrected. ``Otherwise, when I talk about retiring, it conjures up this picture of this old (guy) sort of going off into the ether some place with a fishing pole.''
Instead, Leland, 55, plans to start a second career.
``I like to run things,'' he said, ``so I've been looking at executive director positions of ports, which is logical enough, and of law firms.''
Leland also is contemplating a career in academia, as vice president for administration of a college or university.
``Those are the sorts of things that interest me,'' he said.
Leland will be relieved as commander of the Fifth Coast Guard District in a change of command ceremony at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Riverfront Park. His last day in Portsmouth probably will be June 29, he said.
``We own a house in Burke (northern Virginia), so we'll use that as home base until one of these jobs comes forward or somebody grabs me by the neck and says, `Leland, we need you,' '' he said.
Leland's last few weeks have been extremely busy.
``I was afraid it would happen this way. I've been doing the things I've been doing all along: giving speeches, handing out medals, going to meetings and slipping off to an occasional interview.''
Leland says he's been proud to be a part of the Fifth District, which twice has been named the best of its class. The Fifth District encompasses the mid-Atlantic coastal region and six states, including Pennsylvania.
``And this year, we're competing for the `Absolute Best' Coast Guard prize . . . I think the award will be made long after I've left, but we are one of the two finalists, so we can't be any worse than second,'' he said.
Of Portsmouth, Leland will miss ``the friendliness of the people'' and the associations that he's made through the organizations like the Rotary, the Portsmouth Schools Foundation and the Red Cross.
``You have here in this town a truly warm and wonderful group of folks,'' he said.
For his successor, Rear Adm. William J. Ecker, Leland has these words of advice: ``Oh, just have fun because this is a great place to have it!''
Leland added that his successor has one advantage over him: ``He has a boat and I never did. If I had one regret, it's that we didn't go out and buy a boat because, good Lord, we sure could have used it around here.''
Name: Ted Leland
Neighborhood: Glensheallah
Number of years in Portsmouth: Three
Birthplace: Moline, Ill.
Birthdate: 14 Sept. 1938
Occupation: Rear Admiral, USCG, District Commander
What other job than your own would you like? Sportscaster for the Chicago Cubs (The next Harry Carey)
Marital status: Most definitely! Married to Emy for 33 years.
Children: Leslie Leland Frank, 32, and Douglas Andrew Leland, 29
Grandchildren: Jared Zachary Frank, 9 months
Fondest childhood memory: The one time I was allowed to sub in an eighth-grade basketball game. I was passed the ball at mid-court, turned, dribbled twice and shot. It swished, and I was taken out. Never played again.
First concert: 1942, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis. Band played Sousa music. I was so inspired, my mother says, I went up and conducted.
What song or book title best describes your life? ``Thriving On Chaos,'' by Tom Peters
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? A covered lap lane (swimming) for Emy.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? The quarterback of the Chicago Bears - if the line managed to keep me from getting killed! I am a sports nut.
Biggest accomplishment: Being part of raising two delightful kids who are successful adults (Emy did most of the real work.).
Most embarrassing moment: I've had too many. They seem to run together.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I'd like a killer backhand tennis stroke. In fact, a total killer tennis game would be appreciated.
Perfect way to spend the day: On a tennis court with a light breeze and 75-80 degree temperatures.
I can't resist: My wife
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: The Max. I like Cafe Europa, too, but they need more comfortable seats.
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: My office in the Federal Building or the Commodore Theatre.
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: A lack of a real downtown; something to shop for once you take the ferry across.
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
A downtown shopping area
The best possible integrated, quality school system
Move the Portsmouth Woman's Club from across the street from our quarters
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? The friendliness of its citizens and the support they give to Coast Guard men and women.
by CNB