Leonard M. Shlain

Leonard M. Shlain San Francisco surgeon, best selling author Leonard Shlain died at his home in Mill Valley on May 11, 2009 at the age of 71. He is survived by his wife Ina Levin Gyemant; his children Kimberly Brooks, Tiffany and Jordan Shlain; their spouses Albert Brooks, Ken Goldberg, Caroline Shlain; step-children Roberto Gyemant, Anne Paris and son-in-law Michael Paris; grandchildren Shawn, Jacob, Claire, Odessa, Amber, Daphne, Arthur, Sophia and Elena as well as his siblings Marvin Shlain and Sylvia Goldstick. Leonard was born and raised in Detroit, MI and moved to San Francisco in 1966, after serving as a captain in the U.S. Army in France. He was a surgeon for 38 years at California Pacific Medical Center where he headed the laparoscopic surgery department and was an early pioneer of laparoscopic gallbladder and hernia surgery. He was also an associate clinical professor at UCSF. Leonard was well known nationally and internationally as an author and lecturer. His books Art and Physics, The Alphabet v. The Goddess, and Sex, Time and Power were best sellers. His latest book Leonardo's Brain - The Left Right Roots of Creativity will be published next Spring 2010. Leonard was larger than life, always ready for the next challenge and was always making a difference in the world, with his patients and friends, in his life and especially in the lives of his family. A loving and devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and family man, he always challenged and inspired you to live up to your full potential. He will be remembered with respect and fondness by all who were touched by his life. A celebration of Leonard's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15th at Temple Sherith Israel, 2266 California Street, San Francisco. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Leonard Shlain Scholarship Fund at the Saybrook Graduate School at 747 Front St., San Francisco, CA 94111.