Unconventional.
This is an unconventional biography for an unconventional candidate because that’s what R. Leon Noble is; unconventional.
We could examine his life in the same way as biographies for other candidates, but R. Leon Noble isn’t like other candidates. So instead, let’s examine for a moment the type of person he is and some of the strengths he has developed throughout his life.
Leon has always been curious, ever asking questions and constantly seeking answers.
Exploration was his favorite pastime. It was common to find him dismantling everything from household appliances to electronic devices to see how they worked. He preferred to satisfy his curiosity about things in a very hands on way. Leon’s father often enlisted his help with projects at home and at work. It was Leon’s task to fetch tools and hold the flashlight. Leon hated holding the flashlight, every time. He continues to explore a wide variety of subjects and activities.
He has a keen intellect.
Leon grew up in a home where all learning was valued, from formal schooling to real life experience. Leon learns quickly and retains a remarkable amount of what he learns. Not only that, but he can apply what he learns to what he does and he can do it across different situations.
One time, while driving his father’s old beater pickup, the driveline dropped out and caught fire on the way to do a job his father had assigned him.
Some time before that event an employer taught Leon something about shipboard firefighting during a casual conversation. Leon quickly used the information he remembered from the conversation to fight the fire with water from a tank the pickup carried.
His quick thinking minimized damage to the truck and stopped the fire before spreading into the weeds along the road and adjacent wheat fields.
Leon has always been able to respond quickly in challenging situations.
As a youth a classmate broke a window at school, severing an artery in his wrist. Leon quickly and efficiently took proper measures to give first aid. Once, Leon was offered a job at a retail location after responding to a man who had an apparent seizure in their store when others had no idea what to do.
Service has long been a part of his daily living, but not necessarily the kind of service that looks good on a resume.
In high school Leon participated in band and choir, but never earned a single award (outside of lettering). In Leon’s senior year, his high school band teacher created a special one, the “Esprit de Corps”, to show appreciation for endless hours packing up and moving band equipment to games, assemblies, parades, and other events. Leon provided that service to the band, often alone, from the time he got his driver’s license in his sophomore year, to the time he graduated.
That service translated to many other aspects of his life. In his family, service was typically done anonymously. It was never meant to be done for recognition and was clearly delineated from paid work.
At age 17, Leon accompanied his father to the Umatilla County Fair where they were to man the Umatilla County Soil And Water Conservation District (UCSWCD) booth. His father confidently left him to teach farmers the environmental costs of oil leaks and explain to kindergarteners how aquifers work. Leon was one of few, including UCSWCD office staff, who knew how to operate the water cycle pollution demonstrator.
As a Scout, he was taught to "Take only pictures and leave only footprints." Today, he feels that society is behind and that it isn't enough. Speaking out about issues concerning the environment and our stewardship of it is important.
Leon’s concern over stewardship doesn't stop with the environment.
He understands that everything is connected; threads pulled on the environment affect business, jobs, security, and society in many ways.
If you give him an issue, he can find a solution, not always evident to others.
Leon has always tried to be kind.
He is a champion of those who are different or less fortunate. One grateful mother recalls how Leon never left her developmentally disabled daughter behind when others were unwilling to take her somewhere.
Leon has been homeless.
He understands what it means to be unsure of shelter and food and he understands the fear of being unstable without adequate employment.
Leon has learned some valuable lessons about leadership.
He has come to understand from personal experience, as well as observing good and bad examples of others, that there is a very fine line between firm leadership and dictatorship.
A true leader inspires others to work together willingly and enthusiastically.
Dictators lead by force. He knows that elected government leaders are the servants of all the people, not just those who voted for them. He coined and adheres to the philosophy that "Knowledge is power; hoard it. Power is nothing; share it."
- Clarissa Noble, Mother of the candidate.