If we are to understand the quality of a life lived by the breadth of experiences, then Leslie Floyd Tankel – Col. Leslie F. Tankel – or “Grandpa Les” as we affectionately knew him, flourished in his time with us. A man whose presence and voice once commanded attention in every space he occupied, Les passed away at the age of 84 on September 24th in Orlando, Florida.
Les was the younger of two sons (Jerome) born to Lithuanian-born naturalized Americans, Alvin and Bertha Tankel, in 1938 in Chicago, IL. Faith played an integral role in Les’ childhood, and he was a member of Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA), a youth-led organization for Jewish teenagers.
The decision to attend Indiana University was a consequential one: Les became an active member of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity; he began dating his first wife, Bonnie Silberman, while they were students in Bloomington; and he paved the way for two subsequent generations of IU graduates. Upon the conferral of his political science degree in 1960, Les was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army.
Les’ first love was the military. In thirty years with the army he ascended to rank of colonel, working in the sphere of intelligence. His service allowed him to learn Thai and German, which complemented a lexicon that included Hebrew, Yiddish, and later, Spanish, as well as instilled in him an ambition that transcended his military endeavors. While he was still serving, Les owned and managed three separate businesses: a liquor store, a wine and cheese shop and a beauty supply company all a stone’s throw from Chicago. After his retirement he remained a lifelong benefactor of veteran charities, such as Wounded Warrior Project and Disabled American Veterans Charity. Later in life, when memories were fleeting and names escaped him, Les would still speak fondly of serving our country.
Although their union wouldn’t last, children Roberta (Bobbi) and Alan were products of Les and Bonnie’s union. It was in 1971, while he was in Washington D.C. for the military, that Les met his life partner: Eleanor Dowell. A sharp wit and an even sharper tongue, Eleanor was a suitable match for a man who spoke his mind freely and never shied away from sharing his opinion or bawdy humor. They were married two years later. The blended family, which now included Eleanor’s three rambunctious sons, Richard, Robert and Christopher, relocated to the suburbs on the Southside of Chicago¬.
Eleanor and Les were blessed with the privilege of growing old together, joking that they could never divorce “as no one else would want them.” The only thing more spectacular than their bickering was the love they shared for one another. They had 10 grandchildren. Their travels spanned the Orient Express, East Asia and many locales in between. They enjoyed a love of animals, treating their rotund pets a little too much like humans – sometimes better – and donating to organizations such as the humane society, ASPCA and the local zoo. Together they volunteered at Luke Air Force Base and during MLB Spring Training’s Cactus League, both just outside of Phoenix where the pair lived from 1985 until moving to Orlando to be closer to Bobbi 36 years later.
Les lived his life with a level of excellence he required of both himself and those around him. His stories were rich with the detail and nuance you would expect of someone who had traveled the world, achieved great career success in the military, and helped in raising four sons and one daughter. You always knew where you stood with Les, not necessarily because you asked, but because you were going to hear it regardless! He also never missed a moment to tell you how proud he was of you. Leslie Floyd Tankel – Col. Leslie F. Tankel – and “Grandpa Les” will be missed.
In addition to his wife, Eleanor Tankel, Les is survived by his children Bobbi Hunt Bryant (John Bryant), Alan Tankel (Jamie Ciszewski); stepchildren Rick Dowell (Elaine Dowell), Bob Dowell (Jan Dowell), Chris Dowell; grandchildren Dustin Dowell, Sarah Dowell, Jessica Hunt, Allison Hunt, Megan Dowell-Mondom (Devor Mondom), Katherine Dowell, Madalyn Tankel, Ryan Dowell, Benjamin Tankel, Jacob Tankel; and great-grandchildren Aiden Dowell and Talon Satchel.
In his 70s Les had vowed that he ‘would not be buried without the American flag over his heart.’ True to his word and quite literally, Les received his only tattoo: an American flag inked above his left breast. It was his desire to be interned at a national cemetery where he will receive a funeral with full military honors. This will be updated once arrangements have been confirmed.
Donations can be made in Les’ honor to Disabled American Veterans or The Humane Society or America.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com for the Tankel family.
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