He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Ariadna “Ada” Galkin; his children, Tony (Elena) Galkin, Ella Fisher, and Zhanna (Boris) Chatsman; his grandchildren, Daniel (Colbe), Dima (Natalya), Sophie, Riva, Alina, and Kira; and his great-grandchildren, Celia, Anna, and Leon.
Leonid was a person of remarkable strength and resilience who faced the many challenges of his life head-on. As a 10-year-old boy during World War II, he survived the Siege of Leningrad. After the war, he built a successful career, rising from an assembly worker to Executive Director of a large manufacturing plant despite the antisemitism he faced in the Soviet Union. He immigrated to the United States in 1992, where he embraced the opportunity to return to his Jewish roots.
Leonid was resourceful and industrious, always taking on projects and finding creative ways to “solve the issue” himself, even into his 80s and 90s. He raised his children to be kind, strong, resilient, and resourceful; to be proud of who they are; and to stand up for what they believe is right.
In the final years of his life, Leonid overcame several serious health challenges. Through them, he remained strong and determined to make his own decisions until his final day.
A graveside funeral will take place Tuesday, September 15 at 12:00 PM at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.
May the Galkin family and friends be comforted amongst the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. Yehi Zichro Barukh. May his memory be a blessing.
