Leon Letwin

Leon Letwin December 29, 1929 July 13, 2015 Deeply loved husband, friend and comrade; father and grandfather; teacher and scholar; champion of social justice and peace; and person of the highest integrity, died peacefully on July 13, 2015, at age 85, at Foxdale Village. He was a UCLA Law School professor for more than fifty years. Leon was born in Milwaukee, Wis., the son of Bessie (nee Rosenthal) and Lazar Letwin, on December 29, 1929. He attended Washington High School, The University of Chicago, The University of Wisconsin Law School (JD) and Harvard Law School (LLM). A lifelong activist, he pioneered law school affirmative action programs, was an outspoken opponent of the Vietnam War, and was at the forefront of defending the rights of political protesters, criminal defendants, high school students, and many others. A brief biography (along with many other materials) is posted at https://leonletwin.wordpress.com/. Leon was preceded in death by his brother, William (Shirley), of London, England. He is survived by his wife, Alita (Zurav), of Foxdale Village; sons, Michael (Ellen), of Brooklyn, N.Y., Dan (Eva), of State College, David (Kristin), of Brooklyn, N.Y.; four grandsons, Brian (Chou), of Ho Chi Minh City, Andy of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Nick and Timmy, of State College. A celebration of Leon's life will take place at in the Foxdale auditorium on Sunday, July 26, 2015, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception. Donations in Leon's memory may be made to the Center for Constitutional Rights, Jewish Voice for Peace, Foxdale Village Training and Tuition Reimbursement Fund (benefit staff), or other causes consistent with his beliefs. Condolences may be sent to: Alita Letwin, 500 E. Marylyn Ave., Apt. K165, State College, PA 16801-6219. An online guestbook can be signed and condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.