Lionel was born in Cornell, Wisconsin, and his family moved to California in 1936. After graduating from high school in Glendale, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Whidbey Island, Washington, where he worked in air traffic control. In 1945, he married Jean Griffith in Woodland, Washington, where they lived and raised their family. From 1960 through 1965 he took several graduate classes at Reed. His higher education included Western Washington University and Oregon State University.
Lionel was an educator committed to learning, outstanding scholarship, and providing inspiration to students and colleagues. He taught at Long High School and Lower Columbia College in Longview, Washington, and was involved in the planning of Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and school science fairs. He valued his friendship with Dr. Linus Pauling and was an active American Chemical Society member. Lionel served on the Woodland School District board and was a longtime member of the Woodland Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his children, Shelley Stoll, Scott Livermore, Tamara Duemmer, Tracy Thomas, and Craig Livermore, and his sister, Claire Marlowe.