William Searby Leicht

1936 - 2025

William ("Bill") Searby Leicht passed away on October 1, 2025, at the age of 89.

Born in Winona, Minnesota, Bill attended the University of Chicago, and later earned an MA at Columbia University. He taught at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Hunter College, and Bronx Community College. His passion for social activism developed during the Civil Rights Movement. He supported the South Bronx community through the United Bronx Parents and The Phoenix School, and participated in the evolution of the Ghetto Brothers from a street gang to community leaders. Bill was the founder of Urban Visions, a non-profit helping young people obtain careers in the arts. Bill also created Aiki Workshops, a conflict resolution training based on Quaker principles and Aikido. A passionate peacemaker, Bill was an activist into his elder years, offering workshops in the U.S.A., Ecuador, Colombia, and Palestine. Bill is survived by his children, Cara Marie Vera of Lynchburg, Virginia and Paul Leicht of New York City, and by his stepchildren Sarah Getz of Sharon, Connecticut and Kurt Gubrud of Canaan, Connecticut. Bill was predeceased by his wife, Anne Carriere. Bill's family wishes to thank East Mountain House Hospice in Lakeville, Connecticut, where he spent his final days. A memorial service will be held at Bulls Head - Oswego Friends Meeting in Clinton Corners, New York, date TBA.