Dr. Darrell Ivan Leap, 78, passed on to eternity with his Lord on Thursday, October 29, 2015. Born October 19, 1937 in Huntington, West Virginia he was the eldest son of the late Willis Ivan Leap and Bertie Messinger Leap. On May 14, 1983 he married Myra K. McCammon in Indianapolis, Indiana and she survives. He was a 1955 graduate of Huntington East High School, Huntington, West Virginia, and received a B.S. in Geology from Marshall University, a M.A. in Geology from Indiana University and a Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University. Darrell served as a Commissioned Officer/Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve on the oceanographic ship, the USS Tanner. This assignment resulted in the first mapping of the Persian Gulf by the U.S. Navy. Darrell was a Registered Professional Geologist and served as a geologist/hydrologist with the South Dakota State Geological Survey and as a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Arlington, Virginia and Denver, Colorado. During his employment at the USGS in Colorado he worked on a project at the Nevada Test Site. From 1980 to 2004 he was Associate Professor and Professor of Hydrology/Geosciences at Purdue University, retiring in 2004 as Professor Emeritus. During that time and after retirement he served as an expert witness and consultant for many ground water projects throughout the state and was passionate about serving the people of the State of Indiana in this way. His greatest joy was the privilege of teaching and mentoring his graduate students and was so proud of their accomplishments and careers. He was a member of Faith Presbyterian Church and the American Legion Post 38 in West Lafayette. He was a gifted musician. His passion was composing traditional church hymns and classical choral works. Darrell also sang baritone with the State College Choral Society, State College, Pennsylvania and the Evergreen Chorale, Denver, Colorado. Most recently he was a 25-year member of The Bach Chorale Singers, Lafayette, Indiana, and was a Past-President. Darrell loved woodworking and making musical instruments. Darrell was predeceased by his parents and brother Karl. He is survived by his loving wife Myra, brother Rev. Keith (Sharon) Leap of Huntington, West Virginia; sister-in-law Jo Anna Leap (Karl) of Huntington, West Virginia; nephews and nieces Dr. Edwin (Jan) Leap and Stephen (Stephanie) Leap both of South Carolina; Jennifer Leap Bradley (Rick) of Virginia, Aaron (Alison) Leap of Florida and Kevin McCammon (Annette) of Illinois; five great-nephews and seven great-nieces and special family friend, Brian Ramey. The family would like to thank Darrell's loving caregivers, Gena, Michaela, Amy, Hillary, Pam, Connie, Melissa, Barb, Carol, Jackie and all the other nurses, aides and administrators at Serenity Hospice for their exceeding kindness and compassion toward Darrell and his family. Visitation will be held at Faith Presbyterian Church, 3318 State Road 26 West, West Lafayette, Indiana on Tuesday, November 3 from 4 to 6 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Faith Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, November 4 at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Graveside service will be 2:30 pm at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, 8300 Moore Road, Indianapolis, Indiana. Soller-Baker Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Those wishing may make memorial donations in Darrell's memory to the following ~ Serenity Hospice Foundation, 724 W. Navajo Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47906 Faith Presbyterian Church, 3318 State Road 26 West, West Lafayette, Indiana 47906