Leonard "Yogi" Gerald Eddinger, Jr.

In Loving Memory, Leonard Gerald “Yogi” Eddinger, Jr.

 

Leonard Gerald “Yogi” Eddinger, Jr. passed away quietly Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Yogi was born the third of four children to Margaret and Leonard Eddinger in Lehigh County, PA on June 6, 1949.

 

Yogi’s father was a die-hard fan of the New York Yankees, and Yogi and his brother “Casey” acquired their nicknames as a result of the Yankee squads that had Yogi Berra and Casey Stengel on its roster. Yogi’s given name is Len, while Casey’s given name is Thomas. For the duration of their lives, both of them have existed almost solely as Yogi and Casey. As children, Brad and Breen failed to understand the concept of an Uncle Thomas…it was always Yogi and Casey. A photo of Yogi Berra adorned the lock screen on his iPad and a quote from Yogi Berra was contained in his email footer. Yogi also had a life size stuffed version of Yogi Bear by his bed as a reminder of where he came from.

 

Yogi grew up in Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania, and attended Bethlehem Catholic High School. Following his high school graduation, he went on to Kings College in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, where Yogi launched his college basketball career as a walk-on sophomore with the Kings College team under Head Coach Ed Donahue. Coach Donahue frequently referred to him as “DiMaggio” because he could not remember Yogi’s name, although he knew it had something to do with the New York Yankees. He earned a scholarship, was named a starter, and was the team captain during his junior and senior seasons.

 

Yogi was noticed by professional scouts during his senior season and accepted a contract to play for the semi-professional Allentown Jets. Shortly after, Yogi received his letter of draft notice and was not able to pursue his semi-professional career. Yogi began his service in the US Navy and was stationed in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor. During his time at King’s College and with the Navy basketball team, he met countless players with whom he shared lifelong friendships and bonds. Until the day of his passing, his college roommate and basketball teammates were still among those whom he spoke with or saw on a regular basis.

 

Yogi joined the United States Navy in the autumn of 1971 and served until his honorable discharge in 1975. His time in the Navy was spent as a yeoman for SUBPAC, the Commander of the Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Yogi also worked for the Senior Enlisted Personnel at Pearl Harbor and also as a member of the US Navy basketball team, including the All-Armed-Forces Team. He participated in numerous collegiate tournaments, such as the Rainbow Classic, with the Navy All-Armed Forces team, and played against numerous Pac-10 and Big-12 opponents. Among his teammates and opponents throughout his Navy basketball career were Bob Lanier, Bernard King, and Gregg Popovich. Yogi also earned his Masters Degree from Pepperdine University during his time in the Navy.

 

During his time at Pearl Harbor, Yogi worked across the hallway from Arnold Banzhaf, a Senior Chief for the Commander of the Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He began dating Arnold’s daughter, Cathy, and the pair were married in 1975. They had two children: Brad Alan was born in August of 1977 and Breen Lyn was born in March of 1979. Yogi taught Brad about his love of sports and historical figures in sports, particularly baseball and basketball. He also passed along to Brad his respect for other people and the need for understanding the differences between them. Breen was given Cathy’s mother’s maiden name as a first name. Yogi passed along to Breen his stature, integrity, and discipline. As he would frequently say to Breen: "Integrity is what you do when no one is watching.” This anecdote has served Breen throughout her time as a college volleyball player, coach, and in her professional life as a non-profit manager and executive. In 1988, the Eddinger family accepted a Danish exchange student from Copenhagen named Henrik Bustrup who stayed with them for 12 months. He quickly became a permanent member of the family and has been a son, brother, and beloved family member to all the Eddingers for over 30 years. Xavier Goodwin is Yogi’s grandson from his daughter Breen Goodwin, and Yogi would tell anyone that would listen about how capable, funny, and friendly his grandson was. Yogi worked with him as a reading buddy and coach throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and he passed along his love of sports to his grandson as well. Xavier, like all of the Eddinger family before him, shared a love of sports with Yogi that still exists today.

 

Throughout his life, Yogi had a number of different jobs before he finally found a career in state politics and governmental affairs. Due to their father working at Bethlehem Steel, Yogi and Casey both grew up working in the steel mills every summer to earn spending money for college. Aside from the Bethlehem Steel, Yogi worked at Northampton County Community College, the Pierce County Multiple Listing Service/Board of Realtors, and the Washington State Health Care Association. Prior to his retirement in 2010, he served as the Governmental Affairs Director for the Washington State Medical Association for 22 years. He had an extensive knowledge of state political processes and personnel that he used to serve both his association and its members with integrity and distinction. Until his passing, his colleagues at WSMA and those in elected or appointed political positions were people whom he called his closest and most valued friends.

 

Yogi loved sports, particularly basketball and baseball, and he spent many afternoons and evenings cheering and lamenting both the Mariners and Yankees. Yogi would often turn off the television in order to stop becoming irritated with either team. Yogi loved humor of any and all kinds. Yogi’s sense of humor defined his personality as both fun and friendly, as well as easily accessible. His love of humor included political cartoons, The Far Side, stand-up comedy, and anything that made him laugh or think about the world around him more clearly or deeply.

 

Yogi loved take-out food of any and all kinds. If food came through a drive-through window, Yogi would enjoy it. Whether it be pizza, burgers, sandwiches, chicken teriyaki, Mediterranean, or  Thai food…brown bags and plastic bags stood no chance to Yogi’s appetite and credit card when the words ”I buy, you fly” exited Yogi’s mouth. Pizza Hut drivers knew him by name and brought him candy gifts for his loyalty before loyalty cards even existed, and UberEats drivers used to bookmark his house in their phones for the frequency of destinations. Yogi loved to read, and he would consume books of all kinds for enjoyment and education. His iPad would frequently have multiple books open at the same time. He would spend his days reading in contentment, and his favorite genres included biographies of historical figures, political opinions, and any non-fiction. Yogi also participated in a lively and engaging book club, The Ruminators.

 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret, his father, Leonard, and a multitude of well-loved family pets.

 

He is survived by his wife, Cathy Eddinger, his sisters Mary Lou Eddinger (Jim Phillips) and Barbara Karp, his brother Casey Hewes-Eddinger (Betty Hewes-Eddinger), his internationally adopted son Henrik Bustrup (Agata Bustrup), his son Brad Eddinger (Alicia Feliz), his daughter Breen Goodwin (Ryan Goodwin), and his grandson Xavier Goodwin.

 

We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by his loss. He will continue to live in our hearts as a funny, loving, and kind soul forever.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 20th at Bridgeview 125 (3610 Bridgeport Way W, University Place, WA 98466). This “Open House” style Celebration will be held from 4-7pm at the 5th floor lounge - please enter through the main lobby door. We encourage attendees to wear their favorite sports team clothing in honor of Yogi’s love of sports (bonus points for Mariners and Yankees). Yogi’s favorite food, pizza, and refreshments will be served. No RSVP required. 

 

In lieu of flowers, Yogi would appreciate your support of one of these organizations:

-  Your local Boys and Girls Club (https://www.bgca.org/get-involved/find-a-club/)

-  United Service Organization (https://www.uso.org/)

-  Imagination Library of Washington (https://www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org/)