Earl Benton Slavitt

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University of Pennsylvania

Earl Slavitt Obituary

Slavitt, Earl Benton who is remembered by many as the man with the most generous of hearts, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 20, 2003, from complications related to prostate cancer. Earl, who was a longtime partner at the Chicago-based national law firm KMZ Rosenman, devoted his life to his family. Earl touched many people through his belief in the potential of everyone, and in his service to people who need it the most. He contributed countless hours providing hospice services to AIDS patients, supporting battered women and mentoring children. He did much of this work in spite of the physical limitations brought on by his own serious illness. Earl was born in Chicago, September 12, 1939, and raised in Keene, New Hampshire. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and University of Pennsylvania Law School, graduating in 1961 and 1964, respectively. In addition to practicing law in Illinois and California for 39 years, Earl was an active supporter and participant in the arts, producing and writing for the theatre, and writing poetry. He also actively supported many humanitarian causes. At the time of his death Earl lived in Brentwood, CA, with his wife, Amy and their son, Gabriel, 15, a sophomore at Crossroads School of Arts and Sciences. He has also two children from his first marriage, Andrew, 37, and a daughter, Lesley, 34. Andrew is an executive at HealthAllies, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group and lives in La Canada, CA, with his wife, Lana and two children, Caleb and Zachary. Lesley lives in Chicago and is a Vice President with Bank One. He is also mourned by sisters and brother-in-law, Marlene Slavitt and Nancy and Richard Sher of Chicago, and a large extended family. Earl will be loved and missed by his friends and colleagues, many of whom say he had a profound impact on their lives. A long time law partner described him in an open memo as "a brilliant lawyer, a great partner and a patient mentor to many young lawyers who first learned their craft from a true master. Earl's special gift, however, was his loving and generous nature. He was an living example of what it means to be an exceptionally good human being." Services will be held Sunday, November 23rd, at 3 p.m., at Hillside Memorial Park, 6001 Centinela Ave., in Los Angeles, phone 310-641-0707. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Louis Warschaw Prostate Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8631 W. Third St., Suite 1001E, Los Angeles, CA, 90048.

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Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Nov. 22, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for Earl Slavitt

12 Entries

Bob Stein

November 25, 2003

To Earl's entire family:

I was most saddened to receive an e-mail on Nov. 25 advising me about your loved one's passing. I always enjoyed engaging in conversations with Earl, at first when he lived in Chicagoland and later when he visited...and truly admired his abundant talents as a communicator and writer. May you all experience times of peace and inspiration as you reflect on what Earl meant and added to each of your lives.

Abby Silver-Moline

November 24, 2003

Dear Amy and Gabe,

Though i never met Earl or Gabe, I want you to know that through your Mother, Selma, I feel as though we've been in touch. You and your brothers and sister, parents and grandparents, were a very important part of my growing up. Whenever we would come to Detroit from Chicago, I was always over at your house. You and your sister were the youngest, and that's why I hardly know you. I have movies of your brothers and parents, that my Dad took on many occasions. My son, Todd, was very happy to meet all of you a few years ago.

Please accept my heartfelt sympathy, and hope that someday, we will all meet again.

Your cousin,

Abby

Sandy and Sy Ginsberg

November 24, 2003

Dear Amy and family:

We were so sorry to hear of Earl's passing and our deepest condolences are with you.

Sandy and Sy Ginsberg

Ellen Taylor

November 24, 2003

To the Slavitt family,

We are so sorry for your loss and you are in our thoughts.

Ellen, Andy and Sam Taylor

Moira Delumpa

November 23, 2003

Andy, Lana and family,

So very sorry to hear about your dad's passing. Our family will pray this week with you and may God hold him in peace forever more.

With love always,

the Delumpa family

Tom Etherington

November 23, 2003

My deepest sympathies to all the Slavitt family. I first had the pleasure of meeting Earl at my daughter

Lana's wedding to Andy Slavitt. I

remember Earl as a most gregarious and friendly man. He went out of his way to make me and my two younger children welcome. It was a fun filled, momentous weekend at Santa Barbara. I regret that

I hadn't another opportunity to get to know him better.

Tom Etherington

jewel baker

November 23, 2003

Dear Slavitt Family --Please accept our condolences on the loss of your brother, father, grandfather and cousin.

We are part of the extended Dubofsky family and wanted to let you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Jewel and Al Baker

Andrew Slavitt

November 22, 2003

Dad,

Sorry for the press, but you're the greatest. Thank you for everything you have given us.

Love,

Your Legacies-- GHS, LDS, AMS, LMS, CHS, ZLS

Patrice Morris

November 22, 2003

You were a wonderful person to work for and a great friend. I will always remember you and miss you. My thoughts are with your family.

David Kleiman

November 22, 2003

To the Slavitt family:

I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Earl many years ago at Katten Muchin. Earl's positive attitude about work and life were infectious, and this improved the lives of all who were lucky enough to know him. You have my deepest sympathy for the loss of this great man.

David Kleiman

Ruth and Bob Sherman

November 22, 2003

to all the slavitts, past, present, future. .

we will never forget earl and wonderful memories we have of him. every word in his obit is truly reflective of him and it would take much more space to cover all he has contributed both personally and professionally.

we were his dear friends and neighbors, in Evanston, for many years through the birth of Andrew and Lesley and his marriage to Beth.

we remember the party we had in the slavitt garage where each area represented a different country and how we went to the airport to tape the sounds of airplanes for background setting.

we had so many laughs and shared so many tears but the laughs were most prominent.

marlene and nancy, alice and harold, earls parents and on and on. they became our extended family.

lesley and judy (our daughter) and their incredible friendship.

our fondest thoughts are with you all....ruth bob mimi judy