Dr. Leonard Blackman

1966                                         1968

January 22, 1928  - November 1, 2017

Leonard S. Blackman, born on January 22, 1928 in Manhattan to Abraham and Ida (Hudeas) Blackman, passed peacefully on Nov. 1st. 

Beloved husband of Frances for 66 years, cherished father of Julie (Mitchell), Gary (Amy), and Mark (Leslie), adored grandfather of Jed (Annabel), Molly (Norman), Emma, and Alyssa and step-grandfather of Kelly (Jamie), and devoted brother of Jay (Marcia). He also leaves behind devoted cousins, nephews, and nieces. 

Len graduated from DeWitt Clinton HS, served in the Army in Japan after WWII, graduated from Syracuse and received a PhD in Psychology from the Univ. of Illinois. In 1962, he accepted a faculty position in the Dept of Special Ed. at Teachers College (TC), Columbia Univ. where he remained for 37 years, serving as Professor, Acting Dean, and Ombudsman. He wrote the winning proposal for federal funding to build Thorndike Hall at TC in 1973. In 1999, he was awarded the TC Medal for Distinguished Service. 

His commitment to fairness, respect for others and eagerness to make life better for those who struggled made him a beacon of hope and wisdom for his family, friends, colleagues and those with intellectual disabilities who benefitted from his work. We will miss his warmth, compassion, and sense of humor always.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/northjersey/name/leonard-blackman-obituary?id=11778599