O. BERNARD LEIBMAN

LEIBMAN--Dr. O. Bernard, peacefully passed away February 3, 2022 at home surrounded by his loving family and caregiver Lorna Cofield. Bernie lived an extraordinary life, recently remarking that he was a lucky man and had no regrets. From his humble beginnings, Bernie and his sister Ida were raised by loving and socially conscious parents, Bennie and Ella. Bernie attended schools in the Bronx, graduating from Bronx High School of Science. Bernie enthusiastically enlisted in the Navy and was stationed on Treasure Island Naval base in San Francisco. Upon his honorable discharge, Bernie pursued a career in the then emerging field of Psychology, graduating from City College, New York. He then interned at Connecticut State Hospital and received his Master's in Psychology from Teacher's College. Bernie earned his doctorate from Columbia University. Bernie was a founder of the School Psychology Graduate program at Queens College. He nurtured a group of dedicated professionals who became his friends and colleagues for over 50 years. He was elected President of the Nassau County Psychological Association and subsequently elected President of the New York State Psychological Association. Bernie was actively involved in various psychology boards and organizations, and was awarded The Dorothy Hughes Memorial Award for achievement in the field of educational and school psychology. In 1950, Bernie established his private clinical psychology practice and continued to practice until very recently. The love of Bernie's life was his wife of 72 years, Barbara Krauss Leibman. Together with Barbara, they had two children, Steve Leibman and Sue Leibman, and created a loving and nurturing home, and enjoyed great travels and wonderful times with family and friends at their beach house on Fire Island. Bernie actively embraced exercise through many decades by jogging, swimming and working out at the Lake Success gym. Until a few years ago, he exercised every day of his life. Bernie's love of baking and chocolate was legendary-often creating delicious treats for friends and family, and gifting his self-published favorite recipe cook book. Like his father, Bernie carried on the tradition of being dedicated to social justice causes and for democracy, free speech and common-sense government. Bernie developed his own philosophical view point based deeply in the Jewish and Yiddish culture, and folded in eastern philosophy from Buddhism and the poetry of Lao Tzu. He often taught and shared the benefits of meditation and staying positive, and shared his meditation practices booklet with many. In the past two years since Barbara's passing, Bernie spent much of his days doing his "memory meditation", feeling happy and grateful for the wonderful life he lived, and watching MSNBC, his sports teams and favorite sitcoms in the comfort of the home he had shared with Barbara for their lives. Bernie was the loving father of Sue Leibman and Steve Leibman (Liliana) and amazing grandfather to Rachel Leibman and Coby Leibman (Mary), and great grandfather to Ella. Bernie was the "Club Uncle", "Club Grandpa" and recently "Club Great-Grandpa" to many who he dearly loved. The family wants to thank the extraordinary support team over the years and recently who have been so terrific. Special thanks to Dr. Timothy Dutta for going above and beyond all the time, and to all of Bernie's doctors and medical team over the years, and to his top-notch loving A-Team health care aides, Lorna Cofield and Monica Sackey. It was Bernie's wish that any memorial tributes be made as a charitable donation to the O. Bernard Leibman School Psychology endowment at Queens College:
https://qccommunity.qc.cuny.edu/obleibman. Since its inception created by The Leibman family, it has been awarded to exceptional School Psych students at Queens College who demonstrate dedication and service in the field, with an enthusiasm for helping others, and following in Bernie's model. In keeping with Bernie's fountain of wisdom: "keep swimming" and "keep moving, so they don't hit you with the rotten tomatoes". A memorial for Bernie will be held at a later time, together to honor he and Barbara.