Leonard Warren
August 6, 1931 - September 26, 2023
Dr. Leonard M. Warren was born in 1931 in Six Mile Run, Pa., to John and Mary (Minowski) Warren. Six years later, their family of four was completed with the birth of his sister, Shirley.
Leonard grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and while in college met the love of his life, Freda. They married and had two children, Fred and Lynn. Upon graduating from the Case Western Orthodontic Program the family moved out to California, settling in the Bay Area. He purchased a practice in 1963 in San Francisco and built it into a neighborhood fixture on West Portal. It is pretty hard to walk through SF and not see one of the beautiful smiles that he helped to create. He was joined in 1983 practice by his son, Fred and they practiced together until he retired in 2000. He served as the President of the San Francisco Dental Society and also was the first UOP Alumni President who was a non-alumnus.
He traveled the world with Freda and experienced many wonderful adventures which included favorites like Italy, London, Egypt and an African Safari. One of their all-time favorites was the Mauna Kea in Hawaii where they could often be found in their special place, under the shade of an Acacia tree on the beach, sipping a Mai Tai (or two!). It was an annual trip, shared with his brother-in-law, sister-in-law and close friends. Another family favorite was years of house boating on Lake Shasta with family and friends where he would happily and tirelessly drive grateful skiers around the lake for hours.
One of his favorite places was the California Golf Club where he was a member for almost 60 years. He loved his golf and the comradery of the golf club including time there spent with his son Fred and grandsons. Two of his favorite golf trips were ones he hosted for Fred and the grandsons both to Scotland and then a week at The Masters. He never tired of telling stories of the wonderful times they shared there.
He drove countless miles to cheer on his grandsons at home and all over the state for their soccer, golf and lacrosse endeavors. He was a fixture in the stands cheering them on, weekend after weekend. He spent many a night at travel tournaments in crummy motels in obscure towns, instigating pillow fights with the boys, which may have resulted in a broken lamp or two. He loved spending time with the boys, always wanting to be there to watch them play, share their sorrows and achievements and grow up to be fine young men.
He loved his football! He started in the "dog pound" in Cleveland watching his beloved Browns, then becoming a lifelong 49er fan, first as a season ticket holder at Kezar, then moved with them to the "The Stick" and eventually even made it to a game or two at the new Levi Stadium. Tailgating was a big part of the day … laughing and enjoying the company of family and friends. He was the commissioner of the "Grandpa Football Bet" that has participants all over the country. It appears that, ironically and fittingly, his two-man team is going to win it all this year! And hopefully with a little assistance from him above, his 49ers might do the same!!! He was also a huge baseball fan, playing the sport in high school, college and even some minor league play. The S.F. Giants games were always on in front of his recliner!
Recently he loved having sword fights (inflatable ones that is) with his great-grandchildren and was always amazed by them and loved watching them play.
On September 26th, Dr. Leonard M. Warren passed away peacefully at the age of 92. He is now happily reunited with Freda, his beloved wife of 66 years.
He is survived by his son, Fred (Debbie) and daughter, Lynn; his three grandsons, Robert (Alissa), Michael (Julia) and Nick; his four wonderful great-grandchildren, Everly, Bode, Brooke and Hayden; his traveling companions and best friends, in-laws, John and Jeanette Svet; and sister-in-law, Marie Chess. As one friend said, he was a "rascal"... and this kind, loyal and generous rascal will be greatly missed.