Leon Letwin

A Celebration of Life

1929 – 2015

Saturday, August 29, 2015, 1-4 pm UCLA Faculty Center

 

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us today to

celebrate Leon’s life.

- The Letwin Family

Program (1-3 pm) Turn, Turn, Turn: Elizabeth Belser Welcoming Remarks: Michael Letwin Colleagues and Friends: − Jennifer L. Mnookin, Dean, UCLA Law School − Leon Wofsy, Prof. Emeritus, UC Berkeley − Richard A. Wasserstrom, Prof. Emeritus, UC Santa Cruz − Henry W. McGee, Prof. Emeritus, UCLA and Seattle University law schools − Angela Y. Davis, Distinguished Prof. Emerita, UC Santa Cruz (via written message) − Frances Elisabeth Olsen, Prof., UCLA Law School − Peter Espinoza, Judge, LA Superior Court; UCLA Law School '80

If I Had a Hammer: Ernie Lieberman Family: − Alita Letwin − Dan Letwin − Ellen Dichner − Brian Letwin − David Letwin

Open Mic We Shall Overcome: Evelyn Davis Reception to follow (3-4 pm)  

Leon Letwin December 29, 1929 - July 13, 2015: Deeply loved husband, friend and comrade; father and grandfather; teacher and scholar; champion of social justice and peace; and person of the highest integrity, died peacefully on July 13, 2015, at age 85, at Foxdale Village. He was a UCLA Law School professor for more than fifty years. Leon was born in Milwaukee, Wis., the son of Bessie (nee Rosenthal) and Lazar Letwin, on December 29, 1929. He attended Washington High School, The University of Chicago, The University of Wisconsin Law School (JD) and Harvard Law School (LLM). A lifelong activist, he pioneered law school affirmative action programs, was an outspoken opponent of the Vietnam War, and was at the forefront of defending the rights of political protesters, criminal defendants, high school students, and many others. A brief biography (along with many other materials) is posted at https://leonletwin.wordpress.com/. Leon was preceded in death by his brother, William (Shirley), of London, England. He is survived by his wife, Alita (Zurav), of Foxdale Village; sons, Michael (Ellen), of Brooklyn, N.Y., Dan (Eva), of State College, David (Kristin), of Brooklyn, N.Y.; four grandsons, Brian (Chou), of Ho Chi Minh City, Andy of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Nick and Timmy, of State College. Donations in Leon's memory may be made to the Center for Constitutional Rights, Jewish Voice for Peace, Foxdale Village Training and Tuition Reimbursement Fund (benefit staff), or other causes consistent with his beliefs.