J. Leonard Schermer

J. Leonard Schermer, 90, passed away on September 13, 2008 at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona. Known to his friends and family as "Bud", he was a lawyer in St. Louis for over 50 years, and was a practicing member of the Bar until his death. He loved his work and loved helping people through the practice of law. During his long career in St. Louis, he was a partner in Shifrin Treiman Agatstein & Schermer. In 1963, he argued National Labor Relations Board V. Adams Dairy before the United States Supreme Court. He was a passionate advocate for his clients and equally firm in his beliefs about community service. He served as President of the Jewish Center for the Aged and was active in his synagogue, B'nai Amoona, and the University of Chicago. Bud was born November 27, 1917 in Granite City, Illinois. He attended the University of Chicago for seven years, earning his J.D. degree there in 1941. He sustained friendships from this period for the rest of his life, including Everett and Elaine Warner, Walter Blum, who later became Provost of the University, Arthur Kane and Lindy and Ed Bergman. In 1941, he was admitted to the bar in Missouri and Illinois. Two years later, he married Ruth Katcher. They were divorced in 1952. He later married Thelma Buchman, and they celebrated more than fifty years of marriage until Thelma's death in February, 2008. Bud is survived by his son, Barry Schermer, who lives in St. Louis; daughter Beth Schermer and son-in-law Sam Coppersmith, of Phoenix, Arizona; Susan Schermer who lives in New York City; and five grandchildren, Sarah, Ben and Louis Coppersmith, Christopher Stephens and Elissa Udell. Funeral services were held in St. Louis, Missouri. Donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.