I was introduced to Leonard and Jamie when they had the health food store in downtown Allentown and I was working at the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company.

Jamie introduced me to Maharaji knowledge meditation practice. As a result of a conference I attended with Maharaji in Florida, Jamie and I invested in a property on Sanibel Island for a couple years.

 Our final connection together was in about 1992 or 3 when our young families met at Grand Canyon National Park for couple days.

I would love to say hello to Jamie, Noah and Ona. I can be found on Facebook currently living in Houston Texas from Syracuse Indiana.

Leonard, I  miss you. 

Dear Bettina, Ona,and Noah,

I learned only today why I have not seen my dear friend Lenny for several months.  I teach English at Wallace Community College in Dothan, Alabama, and had the privilege of knowing Lenny for many years.  We were contemporaries, as are our children, and our common goals and interests led to many heartfelt conversations.  Lenny always cared about others, and his friends here truly cared for him. I grieved with him when he encountered loss, and he comforted me when I lost two close family members within weeks of one another.  We compared notes about our children and encouraged one another through the anxious moments all parents experience as they watch their children grow up.  I heard the pride and love in Lenny's voice when he spoke of you all.  I was happy for him when he met Bettina and began a joyous new chapter in his life.  I feel I know you; I've seen your photographs and have heard of your talents and accomplishments.  He loved talking about you.  He lived for you, and you gave him great joy.

Many of my colleagues here also appreciated Lenny's visits through the years.  His kindness and generosity are legendary at WCC. I remember when he left a gift for an instructor whose home had been flooded and when he looked up my son at his Birmingham workplace just to meet and talk with him ("Cool guy," my son said later).  I so looked forward to Lenny's visits and always felt better after reconnecting and updating our friendship. He left smiles and affirmation in his wake. 

Now, knowing that our conversations are at an end, I feel a deep loss and sadness. That wonderful photograph is a comfort, though.  If ever a person lived fully each day of his life, I think Lenny was that person.  I told a friend today that Lenny is one of those people who can never really leave you; you always carry them in a little corner of your heart.  For you and Lenny's other loved ones I pray comfort and blessing.  Be happy and well.  Lenny wouldn't have it any other way.  God bless you!

Drucie Brown

My husband knew Lenny from GSCC; Ona was in my English course at JSCC. He was a very kind soul. Our condolences and thoughts are with the family.  
Amber & Brian Geislinger

I knew Lenny from Gadsden State Community College.  I always looked forward to his visits to buy books.  We talked about family and many other things.  This world is a better place because Lenny was here.

I am so sorry to hear of Lenny's passing. I looked forward to his visits here at GSCC. We often talked about running and Taos, N.M. It seemed that we liked alot of the same things. In all of the years that I knew him...I never saw him in anything other than a pleasant mood. He will be greatly missed and will always be remembered fondly by those of us privileged to know him.

I am so sorry to hear of Lenny's passing. I talked to him for many years concerning running and Taos, N.M. It seemed that we enjoyed many of the same things. He visited us frequently here at the GSCC science division over the years. In the many years I knew him...I never once saw him in anything other than a pleasant mood. He brightened things up and I looked forward to his visits. He will always be remembered fondly by all of us who were privileged to know him.

I have just learned of Lenny's passing but wanted to express my sympathies.  I met Lenny when he came to the my college to purchase books.  He became the only buyer that I would deal with mainly because he was such a nice person, full of life and fun to speak with; which was always brief because he was on the move. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to know him.

I was so sorry to lear of Lenny's death ONLY TODAY. He came to my office at Gadsden State for YEARS as a book buyer and I always looked forward to visiting with him!  What a nice person and always so interesting to talk to! On his last trip up my way we had discussed my upcomming retirement (one more semester now) and he had wished me well. I'm sorry to so late in offering my condolences.....George W. Terrell Jr.   Gadsden State Community College

I only recently became aware of Lenny's passing through his friend, Lenny Rubin.  I am so pleased that I knew Lenny Gribben and had the opportunity to talk with him many times when he came around at my university.  He was one of the happiest and most positive people that I have met in my many years in education.  I always looked forward to his visits and will miss seeing him so very much.  He was a special friend.

Habe Heute vom Tode deines Mannes erfahren.
Mein  Beileid      Gustav u. Irmgard Blodau

I never knew Lenny personally but he was a teriffic book buyer and a formidable competitor. His customers were very loyal and spoke VERY highly of Lenny; from that I can tell that he was good guy. RIP.
-Stuart C.

Allen and family,

I just learned about Lenny. My memory of him was in 1960 or 61, when the cab would pick him up to go to the JCC day camp. He was the cutest thing, and your mom would wave goodbye from the house (or lawn). I was very sorry to read belatedly of his passing.

Sincerely,

Carol Robins

Lenny was a competitor of mine--a very tough competitor.  I respected him very much.              --George Penton, Textbook Buyer

I am so sad to hear of Lenny's accident.  Every time he would come by the office, we would talk about each other's families and what was going on in our lives.  Lenny had a knack for making you feel at ease and he always made my day a little happier when he visited.  He will be missed

Lenny was a friendly face and never failed to brighten my day.  I will miss him!  

Lynne at Birmingham-Southern College

The world is a little less wonderful and bright today after learning of Lenny's death. We did so enjoy his visits here on campus. He will be missed.

I am absolutely crushed to hear that Lenny has left us.  I have known Lenny since I began teaching at Troy 17 years ago.  We shared the joys of rearing our children, the excitement of discovering new loves when our lives shifted and then were blessed with a person who could fill our hearts, the experience of building his home in Taos and had been excited that I now have a place in South Fork Co and had planned to meet between the two this summer.  He was a true friend andf I looked forward to his stops more for the visit than the sell of unneeded books.  My condolences to his family and friends.

I was always glad to see Lenny come in the door of my office at Troy University.  He always had time for a short visit as he bought my unneeded books.  He shared himself with you and always left you feeling better because he visited.  I am retired now and didn't get to see him in the last 2 years, but I will always remember his love for life and the people he had in his.

We will really miss Lenny's visits to Enterprise State Community College.  There are lots of us in the math/science building who looked forward to seeing Lenny and talking about his interesting life.  I'll be praying that God will comfort his family during this time of great loss.

I am so sorry to learn of this news. Lenny was always upbeat, positive and happy! I really enjoyed our chats. The words from his mouth were always positive. Ultimately, I always felt like he cared about me as a person. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

I was so saddened to hear of Lenny's death.  Lenny came by our offices for many years and we became friends -- sharing stories about family and travels.   Lenny absolutely adored his family and I want to express to all of you my condolences.  It was so easy to like Lenny because he was honest, friendly, genuine, interesting, and always smiling.  He was kind enough to loan me his book (with notes) on Provence for my trip there last year; we had great talks about Provence and his plan to return there this year!  Lenny was a special person with a special spirit and I will truly miss him.

I am absolutely heartbroken to hear about Lenny.  Over the years he has been coming to Motlow College (in Tennessee), I have come to really know him and enjoy his visits.  We talked about everything...our families, hobbies, you name it.  He was just such a "real" person.  I'd even keep up with him on Facebook to see what kind of action he was into.  It seemed he was always going and doing.  I'll definitely miss seeing him.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.  The world has lost a good one!

We share your sorrow in the loss of Lenny.  He called on us many times at our campus in Tennessee; and we considered him a friend.  One summer while we were taking a class in Taos, NM, we encountered Lenny at an arts festival.  He was always cordial and smiling.  We wish all his loved ones and friends peace and comfort.

Doyle and Linda Hasty

Although I only saw him a few times each year, I absolutely loved visiting with Lenny and preaching together to the same choir about film and politics. He always brightened my day, and he will be genuinely missed.

Lenny was one of the sweetest and kindest person I have ever met. I always felt that he loved life and he lived it to the fullest.
My heart is so heavy having heard this horrible news. 
You were a good friend to me Lenny. You will be missed.
Sherian McCoy-Oakley
Motlow College, Tullahoma, TN

I can't begin to say how much we thought of Lenny.  He was a loving, fun, open-hearted man who loved life and loved to share life with his family and friends. Although we only met him briefly, he helped our son recover from a very traumatic event.  We will be forever grateful to Lenny and his daughter Ona for taking Nate into their hearts and lives, and giving him a place to recover.  We are so sad that Lenny is gone but are certain that he lived life to the fullest everyday.

I learned of Lenny's passing this morning.  He was a great guy and though I only knew him through his textbook business and only saw him 2-3 times a year for 5 to ten minutes...But we always had a good conversation about things that matter.  I considered him a friend who was always genuinely glad to see me, as I was to see him.  He will be missed.

Although I am originally from Birmingham, I came to know Lenny almost 20 years ago when I started teaching at Troy University.  Lenny would come around to buy books.  Through the years I've come to know Lenny well through his visits to our campus, the sometimes long chats while he was here, and through Facebook.  My wife and I were hiking in Oak Mountain State Park once and were a bit confused about which trail to take.  Someone just happened to come jogging down the trail -- you guessed it, Lenny.  A few months later I drove my wife to the Birmingham Airport to catch a flight around 5am.  As we walked into the airport I heard someone call my name -- again, Lenny who was on his way to visit family.  It seems Lenny was always there.  He will be missed.  My thoughts are with his family.

David and Mary Kay knew Lenny for many years when he
lived in Allentown.  We loved seeing his beautiful family.
He always encouraged us to go beyond our limitations and
take risks. He always knew how important it was to bring 
people together to celebrate life.  Im sure he would want
us all to continue to do that.

Jud and I meet Lenny thur Marty Remaly many years ago in Taos.  Over the years we would see Lenny and he always made us laugh. We meet Lenny again in Taos this past summer and he introduced us to his lovely wife. It was a fun reunion with him and Marty.  I will miss Lenny and his infectious smile. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lenny's family at this sad time.

On behalf of Two by Two Rescue, we'd like to thank all of Lenny's friends and family who have donated to our organization in his honor. God Bless Lenny, and all of you.

Thank you,
Jennifer Nolan

I too knew Lenny through a business connection, but will remember him as someone we were always delighted to see.  He was kind and friendly, and had an enviable spirit. My condolences go out to his family and friends.

Lieber Lenny,
unendlich traurig bin ich in Gedanken bei Dir und Bettina. Zwei Besuche hier in Muenchen mit Deiner Frau und meiner Freundin Bettina und ich wusste Du bist die grosse Liebe ihres Lebens. Dieser irdische Abschied wird daran nichts aendern, am Bewusstsein dieser Liebe, an der Naehe des anderen. Ich wuensche, dass es Dir gut geht da wo Du nun bist und wir alle bald sein werden. Lenny, ich habe Dich als wirklich guten Typen, als die grosse Liebe von Bettina kennenlernen duerfen. Immer werde ich Dich in Erinnerung behalten und nie werde ich Deine deutsche Begruessung am Telefon vergessen, die mein Herz heute besonders ruehrt: Das ist Lenny

I grew up with Lenny in Allentown. Will always remember him with a smile on his face. Rest in peace.
Cindy Cylinder Schneider

Although I only knew Lenny through his business, he was a very fine person--friendly, pleasant, honest, kind--and I wil miss seeing him.  You have lost a wonderful family member--and one who spoke often and lovingly of all of you.

I and many others will miss Lenny. He always brought cheer. So sorry for your loss.

I will miss Lenny a great deal. He was a ray of sunshine. I am so sorry for your loss. He was taken too soon.

I was blessed to have known Lenny many, many years ago when he lived in Allentown. I have not seen him in years, but the memories of those days and the paths that we were on at that time played an important part in my entire life. And Lenny was part of that inspiration. He always had the kindest soul.The world was a better place becuz of him. My sincere sympathies go out to his family and closest friends. Until we meet again, RIP dear Lenny.

We were friends growing up in Allentown and I know Lenny will be missed.  My condolences to his family.

I was shocked to hear about Lenny's death.  He was a friend at the university of west Alabama.  Actually, he had lots of friends there.  He will be missed.  God bless you in your grief.

Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.

Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your

Lenny was a great relative growing up in Pa. I will always remember our talks and playing bball together. Lenny will always have special place in my heart! Lenny made the world a better place!

Dear Bettina,we are so sorry for the
loss of Lenny.
In Loving memory of wonderfull person
Peggy und Walter

We know our dear friend Lenny as the magical mystery man always ready to play and laugh. It's hard to grok he is no longer with us, and see him surrounded by light and love. We send all our love to his family, who he always spoke about with so much love and pride. 
Sandy and Debby, Miami FL.

I am so sad to hear about Lenny and will miss his visits to my office immensley. He was such a nice person. My condolences to his family.

Lovely guy. We were friends in his 20's and intermittently. Travelled Europe and lived in Miami . Beautiful soul

Lenny,
You are now in a place where you really can enjoy nature.  I can recall the last conversation you and I had about you loving the outdoors and your numerous pictures of nature.  May God bless the Gribben family.  Words cannot explain how much he will be missed.

Mary

Lenny often attended my cycle classes at the YMCA.  He was always so kind to me and everyone is class.  My prayers are with his family and his sweet wife Bettina during this difficult time.  I know he will be greatly missed by all who had the honor to know him.  My sincere condolences.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

Just saw this in Friday's paper.  Can't believe it!  Lenny just stuck his head ini my Samford office in the last week -- I think on Monday, the day of the accident.  What a dear person.  Loved hearing about his family and sharing news, with him, of my son's acting career.  He was a FRIEND, a real friend.  If I, and all of his friends, are mourning, I can't even begin to imagine what his family is feeling.  He was (is) just too alive to be gone from us.  My sincere condolences.

I am sadden to learn of Lenny's passing.    My daughter Bethany and his daughter Ona were close childhood friends. It was through their friendship that got to know Lenny.  He was a wonderful father and one of the few people I know who always seemed to be in a good mood.  My prayers and thoughts go out to his loved ones and friends. RIP Lenny!

Very sweet man! He always bought books on my campus and had a smile on his face.

It says so much about Lenny that so many people from so many different places would write notes saying how kind he was, and how much he touched their life in some small way.  Well, add one more to the list.  I saw Lenny about three weeks ago, and we again shared our love for God's creation.  I talked about my time out west this past Summer, and he shared his love for New Mexico.  Bettina, please know I will be praying for you and the rest of the family, especially over the next few days when his loss will become very real.  Lenny had a wondering spirit about him; he wanted to see, know and do everything.  My prayer is that his wondering spirit is at peace.

I knew him from Hinds Community College. Am very sorry to hear of his passing. 

God Bless,

Lenny was a gracious individual and a pleasure to know. He always made time to chat and was a marvel at remembering details about people he only saw 4 times a year.  Everyone here at Hinds Community College sends thoughts and prayers to his family.He will be missed.

I just talked to him last week during one of his book-buying trips to campus, and we had such a nice visit. Such a sweet man. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Lenny was such a neat guy.  For 13 years, I "saved my books for Lenny."  He will be missed.  My heart goes out to his family.

So sorry for your loss. I've known Lenny for several years through his association with EMCC/GT campus. I always looked forward to Lenny's visits. He was a fair, honest, and kind man who could talk with anyone about anything! He will truly be missed.

Oh, we folks at EMCC just heard of this horrible tragedy!!  We are all deeply saddened by this loss.  The world has just become a smaller place without Lenny.  He was always, always such a wonderful guy to visit with.  We will so miss him.  -- Marilyn, Liz, Susan, Gina, et.al.

Dear Gribben Family,
My thoughts and prayers go out to you all.  I will always cherish my memories of Lenny.  Especially the time in Taos when Lenny and his family "adopted" me into the Gribben clan in the summer of '93.  His generosity, humor and goodwill I'm sure will live on with the many people he touched.  

Mehrdad Khatibi

So sorry for your loss Bettina. He was a truly wonderful person. A fun friend and a joy to be around.

Dear Bettina,we are so sorry for the loss of Lenny. In loving memory of a wonderfull person.

I am here for all your loved ones from the Lewis clan. You are extolled and missed. Love you, brother!

Lenny brought his Zen to the golf links. I played a few rounds (too few) with him some years ago at Oak Mountain State Park. He was calm and competitive, mostly just seemed to enjoy the time for conversation and friendship in a lovely outdoor setting. I was always very happy to be with Lenny. I liked to hear him laugh. Bettina, Peter, Noah and Ona, your Husband and Father was such a great guy. His smile and positive spirit will be missed terribly. Yes, I will remember his warm smile most of all. Bettina, I will keep you and all of Lenny's family in my thoughts. I am so sorry for your loss.

Lenny was our favorite book-buyer at Hinds Community College in MS.  He shared so much of himself, and he was well-loved by the faculty.  We send our deepest sympathies to the family.  Know that he will be missed by all.

I am so sad to hear this. Lenny was so nice and sweet. I can remember when he met you Bettina. He was so excited to talk about you when he came to my office. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Lenny and I grew up together in Allentown.  We laughed together, played together, and caused trouble together.  Lenny had a very sweet soul.  Rest in peace my old friend.  I hope yo see you on the other side.

Bettina, 
We are so sorry for your loss.  Our hearts are broken for you and for Lenny's kids.  Lenny was a sweet, kind, loving and fun man and I know that he will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.  Lenny loved life and he loved you and we could all see that when we were together.   Please know that we are here for you; together, we can mourn the loss, honor his memory and celebrate Lenny's life.  
With our sincere sympathy, Donna and Harold Jones

What a great human being! I met Lenny years ago when he visited our campus. We became instant friends. I am so sorry for your loss. Lenny was one of the really good guys.
Harold Plunkett
Dean, Health Science
Itawamba Community College
Fulton, MS

Lenny was an amazingly positive individual. I am an instructor at Itawamba Community College in Mississippi and I loved getting to visit with Lenny when he visited our campus to buy books. He always had a smile on his face and a positive comment to share. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family as they all struggle with this sudden loss. Jessi Stevenson

My heart goes out to Lenny's precious family.  I have enjoyed visiting with Lenny these past many, many years as he has stopped by the Hinds Community College Biology Department in Raymond, MS.  I never sold my unused books to anyone but Lenny. I will miss his enthusiam, caring nature, and infectious spirit. His love for his family was evident. You will be in my prayers.

In the brief moments that he has passed through my office in the many years, we have shared lots of stories and memories of both of our children and our spouses. We have shared our children growing up and what they all had going on in their lives. I will truly miss seeing him on our campus and hearing about his travels and his family. It is truly heaven's gain and this world's loss!

Jefferson State sends thoughts and prayers to Lenny's family and friends.  We all loved him so much.

Rest in peace, Lenny.

A good man and a good friend.

You are missed.

Bettina, I am so sorry.  I saw Lenny on Monday and as usual he spoke of you.  The visit was brief but enjoyable.  Too brief I know now.  I have very much enjoyed friendship with Lenny and you.  Please let me know if there is anything I can do.

I am so saddened by Lenny's accident. He had visited our offices that morining and was so happy as always.  We chatted about how life was going and when he and his wife would visit Germany again.  His smile, laugh and visits will be missed by many.  I am blessed to have gotten to know Lenny over the years.

I am deeply saddened to receive this news about Lenny. He was just at ICC buying books last week and I got to see that wonderful, beautiful smile that is so contagious. I will be praying for all the family.

He surely was one of the kindest men I ever met. What a loss for you, Bettina, and the family.

Lenny was at our college on  Monday. We are so saddened to hear of his passing. He was such a kind, considerate, and thoughful man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Jim and I were fortunate to know Lenny first and then his beautiful children Noah and Ona.  It is so sad to think that we won't see his big smile and share in his vast energy again. We send our sympathy to the whole family.

We are so saddened by this loss.  Lenny was such a loving and affirming presence in the world.  In many hours of intimate talks about love and relationship i was always enlightened by how Lenny would find the joy, compassion, forgiveness that i had missed.  In that way he was a great spiritual leader.

Lenny was a wonderful person and we will miss him greatly. He always brought laughter into the room when he entered. Our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

Bettina and Roger, we are very sad to know of your loss, which we also feel, though we did not know Lenny for very long.  Please know that we are thinking of you all and your families.  All our best, Hugo and Vialla

Lenny was one of those people everyone loved. He had a smile that made you smile and a generous heart that made you feel good. He brought a special light into the world and he will be greatly missed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Bettina, his children and the rest of his family in this sad time.

My deepest heartfelt condolences to Family & Friends of Lenny from someone who knew him decades ago.  Which was my Great Pleasure.  R.I.P.

What a wonderful photo of him that shows the light within him and his love for life!   Truely a deep loss to those of us who know him.   He was an almost perfect example of how to live one's life to the fullest.    My life has been deeply enriched having had the pleasure of knowing him.

Lenny was a great guy with a constant smile.  We will be greatly missed.  My love and sympathy to all of you.

So sad about this. Got to know Lenny nearly 15 years ago from his book-buying trips to Montevallo, and enjoyed many conversations with him about the wonderful things he was up to. He was a really special person, with an exceptional relish for every moment of life. Our thoughts are with his family, whom he loved so dearly and talked about often. Samantha Webb and Steve Condrey.

My heart is very saddened by the tragic loss of Lenny.  He has been my brother Craig's close friend for over 20 years; so I enjoyed the privilege of hanging out with them occasionally. He endeared himself to our family as he did so many people.  He was apparently able to maintain many close friendships which says a lot about what a caring person he was. I will always remember his "smiling eyes" and his playful personality.  
  - Jill Simmons Finley

My heart is with you, my dear friend Bettina.  I know what a great loss this is for you and want you to know  that your friends are here to offer love and support.  It was my pleasure to meet Lenny and work with him for a short period.  . He was very special and will be greatly missed.  I'm glad I had a chance to know him.

One of the sweetest people I ever met. The world was and is a better place because you were with us. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Lenny Gribben was one of the rarest of men that we had the honor of knowing.  Lenny inspired us to be kind, gentle, and loving with one another.  Lenny just had a way about him that made your blood pressure drop a few points in his presence but certainly not in a sedative kind of way-no.  Lenny always had an infectious curiosity about him and a smile in his eyes.  Lenny Gribben was a kind and generous man who loved people, especially his family and friends.  Lenny will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have ever met him.  Words fail, memories fade...but the imprint of Lenny Gribben's wit and charm and love of others will endure with all who were lucky enough to cross his path.  May God rest Lenny's soul and comfort the family he so loved.

Bettina, my heart goes out and feels so deeply for you. I am so very sorry for your lost. If I can be of any help, please let me know. Cheryl Todd

I'm so very sorry to hear about Lenny. He was such a good person and will be greatly missed. He was always cheerful and I Ioved our conversations about New Mexico, bikes and music whenever he stopped by my office. Lenny lived life to the fullest. My heart goes out to his wife and family.

Lenny was one of the sweetest human being I ever met. He holds a special place on our hearts. Our love and prayers are with his family. 

Colin and Becky Neiburger (Miami, Florida)

Michael and Cheryl Patton, Montevallo, AL

A wonderful man. I enjoyed Lenny when his talented children attended Birmingham Friends Meeting and when he visited my office during his book-buying jaunts.  A warm, friendly, interesting person.  Nancy Whitt

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Leonard Jack Gribben

24 février 1954 – 28 janvier 2013

Southern Heritage Funeral Home & Cemetery

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