Leonard J Leff

Leonard J. Leff, devoted husband, loving father and esteemed educator, passed away peacefully at the age of 81 after a long battle with Parkinson's. His departure on July 31st leaves a deep void in the lives of those who loved him, and marks a loss for those who will never know the incredible kindness and joy he brought to the world. He is survived by his wife Linda, son Jonathan, daughter-in-law Catherine, beloved grandchildren, Sebastian and Julian, and brother and sister, Robbie and Joanne.

Born in Houston on January 23, 1942, to Sol and Tee Leff, his love of laughter and the arts bloomed early as producer and emcee of neighborhood talent shows and as a maker of short 8mm films. Though he pursued a degree in business at the University of Texas, Austin, his passions lay elsewhere: arthouse cinema, lectures and literature, the Dallas opera.

After earning a Master's degree in Houston, Leonard took his first teaching job at McNeese University in Louisiana, where he shared an office with Linda Ringer, a fellow Houstonian. They married in 1969 and pursued academic careers in Illinois and Nebraska. Along the way, Leonard embraced his love of song and theater with star turns in local productions of The Music Man, Jacques Brel and Camelot, and when their son was born he embraced fatherhood with equal fervor. They eventually settled in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where he made his most lasting professional marks, which included writing five books. The first, on Alfred Hitchcock, won a British Film Institute Book Award in 1988.

He loved teaching most of all. As a professor of literature and film at OSU, he would often grade his own performance after a day in the classroom. He could not give it up even after retirement in 2002, and became a reading tutor for elementary school children.

Leonard's bone-dry sense of humor was a hallmark, one that regularly confounded inattentive listeners as much as it delighted others. If you knew him well, you could always see the twinkle in his eye. It must be said that he also loved thrift, and would happily shop for months before making an important purchase, such as a new pair of slippers or a towel rack.

He was all these things: father, husband, brother, teacher, performer, writer, witticist. But for most of us, the essence of Leonard was simpler: he was the very best person we will ever know - the kindest, most thoughtful, most considerate, most admirable human being to grace our lives. He lived a life of selfless generosity, bringing empathy, joy and humor to everyone he met, whether lifelong friend or passing acquaintance. He listened keenly to, and cared deeply about, those around him, a fact reflected constantly in ways large and small: a passing remark might be recalled months later; a birthday message or thank you note would be carefully personalized, reminding the recipient that they were seen and heard and loved.

Leonard gave the world much more than he asked of it. A simple bowl of oatmeal; the Saturday Met on the radio; a quiet evening at home telling stories with friends and family. These were the little joys that lifted him, while he lifted the spirits of all around him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Leonard's name to Power for Parkinson's.