Leah Rose Fickes passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 2, 2021. The many people Leah touched in life are devastated at her unexpected passing. She had been battling a rare and serious cancer—adrenocortical carcinoma (adrenal cancer)—for two years and was nearly tumor-free after aggressive treatments earlier this year. Her physicians were stunned at the news of her passing, having seen Leah’s strength and fitness, coupled with her ability to quickly rebound after procedures. She did a Peloton workout and yoga in the days before her death. Leah was born in southern Oregon to Fran and Dwight Fickes on December 13, 1978, joining an older sister, Jessica. From the earliest moments, Leah displayed a lively independence and sense of adventure. At three years old, she insisted on tying her own shoelaces, pushing her mother's hands away saying, "eah do it!" No L, just "Eah." At Evergreen Elementary School, Leah quickly began lifelong friendships with her kindergarten classmates. She had an idyllic childhood on several acres of land that included a pond, meadow, and forest that she endlessly explored, just like her father would do at work as a Forest Service timber cruiser. In fourth grade she joined the local 4-H livestock club; this expanded her already strong bond with animals to include a great affinity for pigs. She also spent many summers at the Illinois Valley Golf Course, where Rex Denham encouraged her natural talent. In sixth grade at Lorna Byrne Middle School, Fran and Dwight bought their girls horses. Leah would spend the following years riding all over the Illinois Valley on her beloved mounts Maggie, and later, Casper. She remained an avid horseback rider, finding ways to ride horses all over the world during her work and travels. In high school at IVHS, Leah was well-known for both her superior academic and athletic abilities. The 1997 Salutatorian, Leah still had a mean volleyball spike and an unbeatable three-point shot on the basketball court. Her dominance on the new women’s golf team and multiple state tournament placements earned Leah a full scholarship to New Mexico State University for the golf management program. Although she later transferred to Oregon State University and graduated with an animal science degree, she did pursue a golf career. Leah earned her PGA Professional card on her first try and remained a scratch golfer her whole life. Golf students and colleagues in Corvallis, Oregon, and Boise, Idaho, became close friends. Because of her great sense of adventure and ambition, Leah accepted an assistant golf pro position at the then-new Jack Nicklaus course in Merida, Mexico. As the only woman in Mexico with PGA credentials, she was featured in magazines and on billboards. She found it amusing to see herself on a billboard on her daily commute to work. While in Merida, Leah allowed a terrible golfer and U.S. foreign service officer assigned there, David Bouman, to take her horseback riding. Waiting out a rainstorm at Yucatan Polo Club, their love bloomed. They were inseparable thereafter. After they eloped in Hudson, New York, Leah joined the State Department as a civil servant. Most recently David and Leah lived in Washington, DC, but also spent much time in the Pacific Northwest with friends and family. Leah loved to travel and made friends everywhere she went, many of whom shared her varied hobbies. She loved to mountain bike, especially in the Pacific Northwest and Rosaryville, Maryland, ride Peloton, run half marathons, and do yoga. She and David continued their love for the outdoors with friends on camping trips, long hikes, and any outdoor adventure. Golf was a constant throughout her life, and she spent time at golf courses wherever in the world she lived. Her dogs were a huge presence in her life, Bella from the time she lived in Mexico and more recently, the addition of Tilly, an Australian Cattle Dog puppy. Leah was also well known for her cooking and baking skills, and much love was shared over gourmet meals and lessons on how to feed your sourdough starter. She always loved taking on new challenges and learning new skills, most recently a pottery class with friends. She was an expert at maintaining friendships across the globe, while she and David lived in Mexico, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine, and spent her adult life surrounded by loving, close friendships. Leah is survived by her loving husband, David Bouman of Washington, DC; parents Dwight and Fran Fickes of Cave Junction, Oregon; sister Jessica and Chief James Haxton (nieces Olivia and Clara) of Hillsboro, Oregon; Patrick and Annemarie Bouman (Penelope and Jack), Sarah and Bryan Lynch (Mary Caitrin, Bryan, Rory, and Ellen), and Mary Jane Bouman; many other beloved in-laws and friends the world over. She is missed by her dogs, Bella and Tilly. Friends may call at DEVOL FUNERAL HOME (2222 WISCONSIN AVE NW) on Tuesday, October 12, 2 to 4 p.m. or Wednesday, October 13, from 2 p.m. The service will be at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Valet parking provided. David suggests taxis and rideshare. Masks are required indoors. Friends unable to attend the service in person may join remotely, using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4102454991?pwd=ZUw3d3FJajRSQVkyS0Fka2YwZER6dz09 Meeting ID: 410 245 4991 Passcode: 1CHYS3 Following the service, there will be a reception from 6pm to 9pm at Los Companeros, 1819 Columbia Rd NW, DC 20009. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Leah's name to the National Institutes of Health, especially to the Safra Lodge https://fnih.org/donate/safra_lodge or Children's Inn https://childrensinn.org/