Leo Schenker Obituary

1922 - 2014
Leo Schenker, Inventor of Touch-Tone dialing passed away in Basking Ridge, New Jersey on January 3, 2014, aged 92.

Leo was born in Vienna in 1922, to Max and Gisela Schenker. He attended elementary and high school there until 1938, when his family sent him to England. There he attended Kilburn Grammar School for about a year, first concentrating on the study of English and then taking courses that allowed him to enter Battersea Polytechnic, a college of the University of London, as a second-year student in September 1939. After two years at Battersea he obtained a bachelor of engineering degree. In October 1941 he was commissioned as engineer officer in the Royal Air Force (at the age of 19.) He served in this capacity until almost the end of the war.

In 1948, he immigrated to Canada. In Toronto he joined the Research Division of the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario. He married Alda in Toronto in January 1949. A six months leave of absence from work enabled Leo to study at the University of Toronto, obtaining a master of engineering degree in 1950. In 1952, he was offered a part-time position of research associate at the University of Michigan, where he was also able to obtain a Ph.D. degree in 1954.

That year Dr. Schenker joined Bell Laboratories where he was engaged in exploratory development work in telephony, leading to a number of inventions, including the Touch-Tone dialing system. Later he worked in military and other areas and eventually retired in 1987 from the position of executive director.

After retiring from Bell Labs he was adjunct professor of electrical engineering at Cooper Union in New York for eight years. Dr. Schenker was a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. In 2013, Dr. Schenker was inducted into the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame for his work on Touch-Tone telephony and Picturephone.

The Schenkers had two children, Michael and Deborah. Leo is survived by his wife of 64 years, his daughter Deborah (Skip), two grandchildren Christopher (Cortni) and Jennifer, and a great-grandson Daxton. He also leaves a loving niece Caroline (Dana) and nephews Richard (Pat), Marvin (Randi), Peter (Carol) and cousins Leo (Livia) and Henry (Amy).

The family kindly requests donations to the Leukemia Society (http://www.lls.org ) in lieu of flowers. No service is planned at this time.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times from Jan. 6 to Jan. 7, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Leo Schenker

9 Entries

francesca nanni

January 3, 2025

I still remembre the vivid intelligence and the kindness of this great man.

Chris Main

January 4, 2023

My family including small 4 kids all loved Leo. My parents John x Jean Main were great friends of Ala x Leo. Just wonderful people.
Chris Main miss both of them.

cChris Main

June 21, 2014

Sorry: little Heather my daughter just told me Leo had died in Jan. the Mains and Heather will always remember him. A great friend of the family. alwa y s loved the story of him cutting the tree limb my mom told me. Wish your mom our best.

Heather Cutler

June 21, 2014

Dear Alda,

Dad and I were just talking about Grandma and Grandpa (Jean and John Main) and I thought to look you and Leo up. I am saddened to learn of his passing and yet deeply moved by his contribution to the world. During your friendship with my grandparents, I only ever heard about Leo's astounding intelligence and your ability to stop traffic in hip boots in NYC. You two were their great and genuine friends; perhaps they are all together now, picking up the conversation just where it left off. In any case, they loved Leo and you and I am glad to have also been a part of your lives. I hope you are well and at peace.
Much love,
Heather Cutler, MS, DC (daughter of Chris Main)
Geneva, NY

Charles Hoover

January 14, 2014

I admired and sought to emulate Leo's consistently thoughtful and informed, pleasant but firm, and always gracious manner. I will continue to benefit from having known him.
Charlie Hoover

January 13, 2014

To Dear Leo:
Thank you for your long-standing friendship. I recall with pleasure our times on the tennis courts, our 'Nike' luncheons, the dinner parties you and Alda so graciously hosted, the cruises Betty and I took with you both, and the 'taxi' service to the airport and on your return for yet another long visit to the USA! Yours was a life well lived. Rest in peace.
From Alan

January 7, 2014

Debbie: We are saddened to learn of your father's passing. His wonderful inventiveness that has touched all of our lives will be forever remembered. We are thankful for his life. God bless you and all your family. Bob & Mary Margaret Wallace

January 7, 2014

Debbie, we are sorry for your loss. Your father was an outstanding person. His obituary was very interesting. Jim & Beth

nespoli

January 7, 2014

Dear Leo,
your Italian firends will remember your courtesy, great mind, intellectual curiosity and cake baking abilities! It has been an honour for us to have met you.
arrivederci!
Francesca Andrea with Alessandro e Cristina

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