Irvin Leifer

1923 - 2016

Irvin Leifer

Born February 2, 1923 in Sunset, WA to I.T. and Anna Leifer, Irv died peacefully on February 26, 2016. In those 93 years, he had "a lot of experiences". The sixth of seven children, Irv grew up on a farm in eastern Washington. He was an outstanding athlete and basketball player. As a junior, Irv and his brother, Bob, helped lead Pine City H.S. to a fourth place finish at the state basketball tournament. I.T. argued with the coach. The next year both boys played for St. John H.S. and lost to Bremerton by one in the championship game.

In 1943, Irv went to Eastern WA U and played basketball. In 1944, he joined the Marines and was sent to Iwo Jima. When the war ended, he returned to Eastern. He led the basketball team to three NAIA quarterfinals and was tournament MVP in 1947. Irv was one of the ten original players inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame and chosen as a member of NAIA 50th and 75th Anniversary teams. He was drafted by the Celtics but turned them down in favor of a teaching/coaching job.

In 1948, Irv married Dorothy Frazier. They moved to Renton, and Irv began his 30 year career at Renton High School. As head basketball coach, his teams won 12 league championships and state championships in 1953, 1960, 1966 and 1967. Irv and Dorothy had three sons: Irv, Mike and Randy.

Irv worked summers at Longacres, and after winning a horse in a 4H raffle, trained thoroughbreds.

Irv was active into his 90's. Irv was preceded in death by all of his siblings, and Dorothy, his beloved wife of 60 years. He is survived by his sons-Irv (Jamie), Mike and Randy (Rosemary); grandchildren- Alyson Warner and Blake, Patrick, Katie, Ian, and Nolan Leifer; and great-grand daughter, Dariayn Warner as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Irv's life will be held at the Renton Technical College Roberts Campus Center Building I, 3000 NE 4th St. Renton WA 98056 on March 20th beginning at 1:00 PM.