Leon J. Weil

About

Princeton University

Leon Weil Obituary

WEIL LEON J. WEIL Of New York, NY, on October 4, 2011 in Potomac MD, of complications following a heart attack. Predeceased six months by Mabel, his beloved wife of 59 years. Son of the late Lillian M. Rouse and Jerome L. Weil of NYC. Cherished father of Leon Jerome Jr, (Jerry), Kate and Cary, father-in-law of Gigi, Stuart and Rick. Adored grandfather of Ben, Harry, Lilly and Charlotte Weil, Emma Bauchner, and Jackson and Victoria Barnett. Graduate of Berkshire School and Princeton University. Proudly served his country in the US Army Air Corps and the US Navy during WW II, and as US Ambassador to Nepal from 1984-87. Sixty year career as a trusted investment advisor and senior executive at several Wall Street firms including Steiner, Rouse and Co., Herzfeld and Stern, and Janney Montgomery Scott. Was Exchange Official on the American Stock Exchange and served on various industry committees. A lifelong Republican and conservative, he was an enthusiastic fundraiser for many political campaigns, notably for James Buckley to the US Senate, and for President Ronald Reagan. Served as an official international election observer and as special consultant to the UN Development Program, and assisted in the development of capital market systems in Asia and Eastern Europe. A past governor of the Foreign Policy Association, he was at the time of his death a Director of the Council of American Ambassadors, International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), Media Research Center, Parent's Television Council, Fund for American Studies, National Committee on American Foreign Policy, and American Himalayan Foundation, and an Advisor to Outward Bound. He was especially devoted to his alma mater, Berkshire School on whose Board he served for 33 years. Youthful and adventurous, he skied and played tennis with family and friends until his 80's, hiked throughout Nepal, Africa, Europe, ran the NYC Marathon, kayaked around Manhattan, climbed Kilimanjaro, and with Mabel, developed countless lasting friendships from Kitzbuhel to Kathmandu. In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be sent to Leon J Weil Fund c/o Berkshire School, Sheffield, MA 01257, or to any of the above organizations. Memorial service to be held October 19 at 11:30 a.m. at the University Club, 1 W 54th St., New York, NY.

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Published by The Washington Post on Oct. 7, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Leon Weil

6 Entries

James Giambrone

September 30, 2021

I could only repeat my message because it said it all for me.
Rest in Peace Leon and Mabel

Lee, you were such a great supporter of our long-term ex-pat community here in Kathmandu, always seeing all Americans as one big family and I cherished the Christmas dinners at your home with your family. I appreciated the support and guidance you showed me while serving you as the American Club manager here in Kathmandu and continuing that support each time you visited Kathmandu, long after your assignment was completed.

You always served as a role model for fitness and you brought that vitality into the American Club, we have you to thank for championing the building of our squash court and then using it so often. I know because you kept me fit running me around the court!

You brought the spirit of competition and play into our annual Queta Cup Tennis Tournament against the British, which we won each year that you served here. I remember you and Mabel on the court in men's/woman's doubles and mixed doubles always participating and going for it in the best of diplomatic spirit.

Your love of Nepal was infectious and always felt by all who served with you and especially your Nepalese friends, who still fondly remember the "Ambassador Weil" years, you were a great Ambassador to Nepal.

I have to say that one of my fondest memory of you was the first appearance you made to the Kathmandu Mission at the going away party for Noosh Nishihara, of USAID. You had arrived that day and unannounced to most, showed up with Mabel at the "Hawaiian Luau Party" we put on at "Flo's".

During the many "felicitations" an announcement was made that we had a guest Ukulele player who was going to play for us. You appeared in the tent Uk in hand and started playing. After several cords, the rowdy bunch of drunks that we were started taking apart our leis of carnations and started throwing them at you. Unfazed, you continued playing, ducking the flowers, and then started swinging at them like they were baseballs! You finished, joined the party and then we then found out that you were our new ambassador!

I thought my job was finished, but no you took it all in stride with great dignity and a sense of humor. Then and there I knew you were going to be a great ambassador to work with because the fun was in my department as manager of the club and I knew we would make a great team and the rest is history!

You will always be remembered here in Kathmandu and in my heart for all of my living days. We love you Lee and Mabel and thank you for being in our lives.
RIP Leon and Mabel
James
OXOX

--
James A. Giambrone
Director
Indigo Gallery
Kathmandu Nepal
[email protected]

Heike Breitenmoser

October 31, 2011

Dear Jerry, dear Katie, dear Cary
I was so sorry to hear from your loss. My deepest sympathy to you and your families.I will always remember your Dad and Mom. They were wonderful warmhearted persons. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Mr Weil rest in peace. Love Heike

To the Weil Family

James Giambrone

October 13, 2011

Lee, you were such a great supporter of our long-term expat community here in Kathmandu, always seeing all Americans as one big family and I cherished the Christmas dinners at your home with your family. I appreciated the support and guidance you showed me while serving you as the American Club manager here in Kathmandu and continuing that support each time you visited Kathmandu, long after your assignment was completed.

You always served as a role model for fitness and you brought that vitality into the American Club, we have you to thank for championing the building of our squash court and then using it so often. I know because you kept me fit running me around the court!

You brought the spirit of competition and play into our annual Queta Cup Tournament against the British, which we won each year that you were here I may say. I remember you and Mabel on the court in men's/woman's doubles and mixed doubles always participating and going for it in the best of diplomatic spirit.

Your love of Nepal was infectious and always felt by all who served with you and especially your Nepalese friends, whom still fondly remember the "Ambassador Weil" years, you were a great Ambassador to Nepal.

I have to say that one my fondest memory of you was the first appearance you made to the Mission at the going away party for Noosh Nishihara, of USAID. You had arrived that day and unannounced to most, showed up with Mabel at the "Hawaiian Luau Party" we put on at "Flo's".

During the many "felicitations" an announcement was made that we had a guest Ukulele player who was going to play for us. You appeared in the tent Uk in hand and started playing. After several cords, the rowdy bunch of drunks that we were started taking apart our leis of carnations and throwing them at you. Unfazed, you continued playing, ducking the flowers and then started swinging at them like they were baseballs! You finished, joined the party and then we found out that you were our new ambassador!

I though my job was finished, but no you took it all in stride with a great dignity and a sense of humor. Then and there I knew you were going to a great ambassador to work with, because fun was in my department as manager of the club and I knew we would make a great team and the rest is history!

You will always be remembered here in Kathmandu and in my heart for all of my living days. We love you Lee and Mabel and thank you for being in our lives.
James

--
James A. Giambrone
Director
Indigo Gallery
Kathmandu Nepal
[email protected]

October 12, 2011

Lee and Mabel star in our favorite memories of our time living in Nepal

Francesca and Peter Howell

October 11, 2011

We are deeply saddened to learn of Leon's passing, and doubly so that it comes so soon after Mabel's. However, Peter and I are honored and very happy to have known him (and them both) as the vital, glamorous, fascinating people that they were. They were consistently interested in the lives of others, and their enthusiasm and smiles filled the room. The good work that both Leon and Mabel did in the world lives on after them in countless areas. Leon's energy, athleticism, "joie de vivre" and humanitarianism remain huge inspirations to us all.

Our hearts and sincerest condolences are with Kate, Cary and Jerry, and all the extended family. With love and hugs from London -

October 7, 2011

Dearest Dad, thanks for spending your last months with me. Thanks for spending your last weeks, days,hours and minutes with me. I cherish the memories, and I always will. May you rest in peace. xxooxx cary

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