Remembering Len

Len had lived nearly all of his 92 years of life in Avenel, except for his two-year national service time in the 1950s, and a few months in Karringal Residential Aged Care facility in Seymour, where he passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025.

The funeral of his beloved wife, Ruth, was held just one year previous, in January 2025, at St Paul’s.

So, it was fitting that Len’s service was also conducted in his family church, with members of his family, friends, work colleagues and the local community being able to pay their last respects to this well-liked man.

Len’s life

Leonard Robert Underwood was born in Nagambie on February 8, 1933, to Daisy and Robert Underwood.

He was their youngest child, and he had a brother, Morris, who sadly died at nine days old, and his sister, Kath, passed away in 2018.

Unfortunately, Len’s father, Robert, died when Len was only 19 months old, leaving him to be raised primarily by his mother and her sister, May Ewing.

As a small child, Len was baptised at St Paul’s, where his mother taught him Sunday school.

He went to Avenel Primary School from 1939 to 1944, and then to the Seymour Higher Elementary from 1945 to 1949, where he finished in Form 4.

He worked some casual jobs in Avenel before starting a technician-in-training course in Melbourne with the Post Master General’s department.

He was unable to pass the eye test for a permanent position for a government job, and returned to Avenel to start work as a cost clerk and timekeeper for the Country Roads Board at Mangalore Airport.

For five years, he spent time travelling around north-east Victoria to construction sites, and also to the Benalla Storeyard and Divisional offices.

He decided he preferred outdoor work and commenced farm work for his uncle, Bill Ewing, interspersed with contract fencing for the Victorian Railways.

Len Underwood and Ruth Weidemann met through friends in Nagambie in the summer of 1958, and married at Christ Church, Seymour in the spring of 1959.

They lived mainly around Avenel for nearly all their married life and were married for 65 years.

They had three children, Robert, Merryn and Lyndel, and six grandchildren, Maddy, Olivia, Billy, Michael, Simon and Tom.

One great-grandchild is on the way.

In 1959, he turned to water well drilling and bought his own rig, which was his main occupation for about 50 years, together with the farm he purchased in 1963.

His passion, knowledge and dedication in both areas of his work led to him being held him in high esteem, in both the farming and drilling community.

He had a strong work ethic, which he passed on to his children, with his mantra to them being, “If you’re going to do a job, do it properly.”

Len was actively involved with his church, being on the St Paul’s Parish Council for many decades, helping with church fêtes, working bees, ecumenical services and other community interests, such as being on the Avenel Cemetery Trust and swimming pool committee and a member of the National Party.

His eulogy touched on his love of country music, his cat, his community, the Collingwood Football Club, and his deep love for his family, which was demonstrated by his actions.

He always wanted the best for his family, providing them with a life where they felt safe, loved, carefree and protected.

The world was a better place for Len having lived in it.

Rest in peace, Len Underwood. You will be sadly missed by many.