LEONARD TREISTER

1926 - 2016

LEONARD E. TREISTER, PIONEER MIAMI RESIDENT DIES AT 89. TREISTER, LEONARD, (1926-2016) passed away peacefully on September 5, 2016. Leonard came with his parents, Arthur and Anita Treister, to Miami in 1929. Leonard was active in the Boy Scouts, Troop 35 and graduated from Miami Beach Senior High in 1944. During his high school days, at the beginning of World War II, he was an airplane spotter for the Army Air Force, in a system set-up along the Florida coast to spot possible German airplanes, submarines and torpedoed US ships in distress. Upon graduation he enlisted in the US Navy as a teacher and specialist in airplane recognition. After the war he attended the University of Miami, was a member of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, and earned his degree in law. Leonard was active in Miami's real estate field. He was also involved in Miami's civil rights movement during the 1960's, serving on the Board of Lincoln Federal Savings and Loan Association and Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, the first integrated institutions of their kind in the State of Florida. In 1968 Leonard and his brother Kenneth formed Housing Corporation of America in partnership with Alcoa. HCA became the leading builder of Federal low-rent turnkey housing in the US, building both family and senior housing in many cities throughout the country, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Leonard was sited by the US Senate for assisting in drafting Federal-housing legislation. Leonard and his family moved to Los Angeles in 1985 and lived an active and comfortable life until his death. Leonard is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Diana, his three children, Susan Treister, Arthur Treister and Pamela Balfe, two grandchildren John and Jackie Balfe and his brother Kenneth Treister. His love and passion for his family and life will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Contributions in his memory can be made to the Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of Tolerance, Los Angeles, CA.