Victor Theodore Letonoff, soldier, artist
Col. Victor Letonoff was born Aug. 22, 1934, in Wilmington, son of Theodore and Elizabeth Letonoff. He passed away Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Lewes.
Col. Letonoff is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Lacy Shockley Letonoff. He is also survived by his son Victor II of Lewes, his wife Maribeth and his children, Gillian and Teddy; his son Eric of Biloxi, Miss., his wife Amanda and their son Jude; his son Lars of Tampa, Fla., his wife Janice and their sons Lucas and Jason; and his sister Ellen Letonoff Hollingsworth of Wilmington. He is also survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gilbert and Wythe Shockley of Richmond, Va., and their children Thomas and Anne Madison.
Col. Letonoff graduated from Avon Grove High School in West Grove, Pa. He then served three years as a soldier in the 82nd Airborne Division where he earned his parachute wings. He graduated in 1960 from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He then served in Viet nam where he was awarded two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross. After that, he served as a battalion commander in Germany. His 35-year career in the Army also included tours teaching at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
After retiring from the Army, Col. Letonoff attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia where he graduated from the 4-year certificate program. He also studied at the Academy des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France. Over the years, his work has been shown in many galleries including Troika Gallery in Easton, Md., Aerie Art in Rehoboth, Peninsula Gallery in Lewes and Carspecken Scott Gallery in Wilmington. He has also exhibited his work at Rehoboth Art League, the Pennsylvania Sketch Club, and the Museum of Modern Art at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
Col. Letonoff enjoyed working in the Lewes community, where he served on the city council for six years. He also did volunteer work for Beebe Medical Foundation, Greater Lewes Foundation and various other civic groups.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m., Sunday, April 24, at Lewes Presbyterian Church, Kings Hwy., Lewes. Masks are suggested. Burial will be at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Beebe Medical Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, or Historic Lewes Farmers Market, P.O. Box 185, Nassau, DE 19969.
Visit Mr. Letonoff’s virtual guest book at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
