Leon Hirsch Rittenberg, Jr.

Leon Hirsch Rittenberg, Jr., age 87, died peacefully with his family by his side on January 10, 2022. Leon was larger than life, classic New Orleans, and dedicated to his family, friends, community and profession. Leon was born in New Orleans in 1934, and he spent almost his whole life here save for a few years of school and a few weeks for Hurricane Katrina. His mother, Katherine Polack, traced her Louisiana roots to 1836, and his father Leon Hirsch Rittenberg was a local attorney and community leader who died when Leon was only 14 years old. Leon kept the family tree and had an encyclopedic knowledge of his extended family, developing valued relationships with relatives from London to California and everywhere in between. Leon attended Metairie Park Country Day School for 10 years. In 1952, he graduated high school from The Loomis Chaffee School in Connecticut. In 1956, he graduated from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He then returned home for good, graduating from Tulane Law School in 1959. At Tulane, Leon was on the Board of Editors of the Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif. Leon practiced law in New Orleans for 59 years. He credited his professional longevity to his love of the law. He considered the practice of law a hobby and not a job. It was an impactful hobby – Leon supported hundreds of local businesses and individuals through a myriad of mundane and momentous challenges. Leon loved to go fishing with his family and friends. He once famously required his son to sign an affidavit, swearing (despite all evidence to the contrary) that his father was the "best fisherman in the world," in return for a ticket to attend the Super Bowl. He was a founding member of the Krewe of Bacchus, an honorary director from 1976 to 2005 and a member for 50 years. Like his father, Leon was a philanthropist and community leader. He supported the Jewish Federation, the United Way of New Orleans, Metairie Park Country Day School, Ochsner Foundation, the Red Cross, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and the International Myeloma Foundation, together with many other not-for-profits. He received the Council of Jewish Federation's Endowment Achievement Award in 1990, and in 1996 the Young Family Award for Professional Excellence by the Jewish Endowment Foundation. He was a certified public accountant and a Board Certified Tax Attorney and an Estate Planning and Administration Specialist. Leon was President of the Board of Trustees of Touro Synagogue in New Orleans from 1974-76, a member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Friends of Touro Synagogue National Historic Shrine 1977-1991, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Vieux Carre Property Owners and Association 1966. He was also Chairman of the Central Area Council of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce 1975-1976. He served as President of the University of Pennsylvania Alumni Club of Louisiana 1965-2004, President of the Jewish Endowment Foundation 1991-1995 and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Metairie Park Country Day School 1991-1992. Leon is survived by his wife and the love of his life, Cynthia Neuwirth Rittenberg (super nurse and friend). He is the father of Leon Hirsch Rittenberg, III (Heather), Andrew P. Rittenberg (Amy), and Babette Rittenberg, and grandfather of Leon ("Lee") Hirsch Rittenberg IV, Brooke Elizabeth Rittenberg, Megan Nicole Rittenberg, Bradley Lev Rittenberg and Ruby Rittenberg. Son of the late Leon Hirsch Rittenberg and Katherine Polack. Brother of Katherine Rittenberg Samuels of St. Louis, Missouri, and Naples, Florida. He is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family would like to thank Leon's wonderful care givers including Geraldine Sims, Sheila Heard, Tina Minor, Daniel Stewart, and many others. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Jewish Endowment Fund, Ochsner Foundation Hospital, Touro Synagogue, or the Rittenberg Scholarship Fund for Underprivileged Children at Metairie Park Country Day School. Graveside funeral services will take place for family and friends on Wednesday, January 12 at 11:00am at Hebrew Rest Cemetery #2 located on Frenchman at Pelopidas. Please observe all Covid rules. Masks are required.