Leo Latz

Latz Leo Latz died on January 22nd of natural causes associated with Alzheimer's disease, at home in his sleep. Age 89. 38 year Star Tribune compositor/linotype operator & proofreader, ret. 1979 with first priority. Preceded in death by parents Rubin & Rose, sisters Bertha Arenson, Sheba Allman, twins Shirley Cook & Dolly Ornstein, Jeanette Cohen. Survived by wife Evelyn Steinman Latz, who has been his faithful companion and supporter through 59 years, sons Larry (Judi), Rubin (Marty), Bill, David (Sherry) of Boca Raton, FL and Marc (Barb), brother Robert (Carolyn), sister-in-law Katie Billie of Fort Pierce, FL, grandsons Rabbi Michael (Jeff) of Seattle, Benjamin, Joseph and granddaughters Kyle Murray of San Francisco, Katie and Hannah; step-grandsons Michael Sullivan (Laura)of Lino Lakes & Charly Sullivan (fiancee Malika) of Chicago; 16 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Leo "The Lion" was born Nov. 28, 1914 in Virginia, MN, and the family moved between Virginia and International Falls twice before settling in Minneapolis in 1925. Deafened at age 3, Leo matriculated to the residential Minnesota School for the Deaf (MSD) in Faribault fall of 1921 after first mistakenly being placed at the State Asylum for the Feeble-Minded, also in Faribault; quickly learned sign language through immersion; renowned for his hard-nosed athleticism in basketball, football and track; MSD class Salutatorian in 1935, and was one of the first MSD students to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. That accomplishment remained a cherished touchstone throughout his long life. Graduated Gallaudet College (now University) in Washington, DC, 1940; first member of his family to attend college, this, after being called to Gallaudet in 1935 from waiting list status with only seventy-five dollars of savings to last him that first year; loved English, Latin, French & Journalism, participated in football & track; Kappa Gamma fraternity & active member of Gallaudet University Alumni Association. First employed at the Washington Post, Washington Times-Herald, Washington Daily News, United States News and the Goodyear Aircraft Corp., Akron, OH before returning home to his North Side roots and re-establishing his priority at the Mpls. Star, where he is remembered for playing in the daily cribbage games in the second floor composing room break area; 62-plus year member of International Typographical Union, faithful devotee of Star Tribune 20 Year Club. For 56 years an avid bowler & life-long all-around sports nut, Leo was fiercely loyal to the Minneapolis Lakers & Millers, and later to the Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves & Gophers, and he suffered mightily over each team's losses. Leo often bowled in 3 or 4 leagues each week, and held offices for many. He will be missed by his kegling families from Elsie's, Lynbrook, Earle Brown and other local venues. Hall of Fame member of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, the American Athletic Association of the Deaf, and the Minnesota School for the Deaf / Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf. Life member and former president of the Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens, co-founder of Metro Deaf Seniors, Leo devoted his life in service to the Deaf Community through his early organizational activities in MinnePaul Athletic Association and in numerous committees and advisory boards over many years, including those that helped guide the Legal Aid Program for Hearing Impaired People (LAPHIP), establish People, Incoporated's Petra Howard House, the MN Department of Human Services' Regional Service Center (now Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division) program, and the Mental Health for the Hearing Impaired (now Health and Wellness Program) program at Regions hospital; contributing writer & columnist to magazines Silent Worker, Cavalier, Companion, Deaf American and Thompson Hall Newsletter (where he took a turn as one of their long-time editors); best remembered for his "The Lion Roars" byline. Leo was a self-described idealist, and was a strong debater, one with whom you did not want to argue the finer points of parliamentary procedure. He fought hard for his causes and steadfastly modeled citizen leadership in his actions. His languages (American Sign Language & English) were both his love and his craft, and people will miss his sharpest of all eyes for correcting meeting minutes, particularly when friends' and colleagues' names were misspelled. He loved to pepper conversations with snippets memorized from Bartlett's Familiar Quotations. For many years Leo was volunteer extraordinaire to interpreter training program staff and students, always eager to join the crowd in silent retreats and in classroom story telling opportunities, where he loved to model his keen mind & sharp wit, often fingerspelling ambidextrously and faster than many eager eyes could follow. Renowned for his flirtatious quips, Leo also helped mentor and welcome many ASL students into the Deaf Community, and many interpreting students into the interpreting profession; a long-revered role model to deaf youngsters of a "can do" life. Dad / Zaidie we know that you are extremely proud of your family, we know that you will miss your beloved family and your many friends across the country, your cashews and your Chevrolets, and your long walks through the North Side & along Theodore Wirth Parkway. You know that we will miss your warm, strong hugs, your fuzzy-cheeked kisses, your booming, off-key voice and your wonderful stories. Special thanks to brother Bill, who has been a saint as Dad & Mom's live-in companion, chauffeur and caretaker, and who has managed the household & mediated the daily foibles of Dad's changes through these past four years. Memorials to Gallaudet University, Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf, Minnesota Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Bread of Life Lutheran Church for the Deaf, or Alzheimer's Association. Funeral 2:00 p.m. Sunday January 25th, Hodroff & Sons Chapel (Franklin Avenue); burial Workman's Circle Cemetery. Shiva Sun. - Tues. at Larry & Judi's home, 3057 Independence Ave.N, New Hope.

Published on January 24, 2004