Leo Dewey Welch (April 22, 1898 – October 21, 1978) was an American banker and oilman who served as a senior official with several major corporations.

[1] In September 1944, Welch left the National City Bank to become treasurer of Standard Oil of New Jersey, replacing Jay E. Crane in the position.

In April 1960, Welch was elected chairman of the board to replace Eugene Holman, who had hit Standard's mandatory retirement age of 65.

In February 1963, President John F. Kennedy nominated Welch to become the first chairman of the new Communications Satellite Corporation.

On January 27, 1926, Welch married Veronica Avilla Purviance (1902–1970) at the Iglesia María Auxiliadora in Montevideo.

After Veronica's death in 1970, Welch became companions with Catherine Mary Burdick, whose husband Thomas had died in 1969.

On October 28, the quartet was driving from Cuernavaca to Mexico City when their vehicle, driven by Avril Glenn, swerved off the road and hit a gasoline truck.