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Robert LeRoy Obituary
LeRoy, Robert Otto 80, born Otto Lefkovits in Budapest, Hungary, 11/26/24. Holocaust survivor. Beloved husband and best friend of Carol Schultz LeRoy, wonderful and devoted father of Michael (Janet), Steven (Dunia) and Cathyrn (Ezra) Ilani. Much adored grandfather of Benjamin, Sarah, and Samuel LeRoy, Veronica LeRoy, Daniel, Natali, and Jacob Ilani. Loving brother of Steven (Laura) Lefkovits, the late George (the late Hedy) LeRoy, the late Margaret Maate, Gabriella, Miklos, Anna, Paul, Sandor (Tillie) Lefkovits and Jozsi (Sari) Lovas. Fond brother-in-law of James (Sheila) Schultz and the late Donna (Mort) Sapkin. Cherished "brother" of Hedy (the late Laci) Ivanyi of Budapest, Hungary. Loving uncle of many nieces & nephews. Robert grew up in the small town of Nyirmada, Hungary. In early 1944, he and his entire family were deported to Auschwitz where his mother & father, Rezsi & Hermann Lefkovits, sisters Gabriella and Anna and his brother Miklos were murdered by the Nazis. His brother Paul was murdered at the Russian front where he was a slave laborer. Robert and two of his brothers, George & Steve, were taken to another camp called Bunzlau where they were forced to build dummy aircraft to fool the Allies into believing they were bombing and destroying Nazi air bases. They were tortured, beaten and starved until they were liberated by the Russians on February 11, 1945. In March of 1949, Robert immigrated to the United States and in 1951 he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served with distinction until 1953. In 1953 he established his own construction company and became one of the most highly respected remodelers in the Chicagoland area. He was instrumental in writing the "Code of Ethics" for the remodeling industry at the request of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago in the late 1950's. He served as Chairman of the Contractor's Advisory Board for the City of Chicago' Department of Housing. He remained one of the most highly respected individuals in the industry. In 1977, when confronted by the growing Holocaust revisionist movement, he founded Witnesses to the Holocaust, Inc., a charitable organization whose purpose is to educate present and future generations about the history of genocide focusing on the Holocaust and to commemorate the memories of the victims of the Holocaust. He helped develop and implement the mandatory teaching of the Holocaust in Illinois Public Schools. He was a dedicated educator and public speaker who spoke before many organizations and school groups over the past 30 years. With a strong belief in Torah and tzedakah (charity), he was a generous supporter of many charitable organizations in the Chicagoland area and in Israel as well as the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. He helped to found the The Einstein Academy in Elgin, a school for academically talented students, and Congregation Shirat Shalom, a Conservative synagogue in the Northwest Suburbs. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory to The Einstein Academy in Elgin, 747 Davis Rd., Elgin IL 60123 or Congregation Shirat Shalom, 30W509 Shoe Factory Rd., Elgin, IL 60120 would be appreciated. Services, Tuesday, 11 AM at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 195 North Buffalo Grove Rd. (1 Block N. of Lake Cook Rd.), Buffalo Grove, IL. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals, Douglas MacIsaac, Funeral Director, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.comTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert LeRoy
Greg Goldbogen
April 29, 2005
Carol & family,
I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear about Bob's passing. I still cherish the memories of being privileged to be associated with him in the old Lox & Bagel Club. When I became involved in the College of Lake County Hillel, he was the first one I thought of when we needed a speaker for Yom Hashoah. Students and teachers still talk about the moving and gripping talk he delivered three years ago. I still have a tape of his talk, which I will always cherish. He was a great man and leaves a gap in this world.
Jeffrey Anderzhon
April 19, 2005
My deepest sympathy. I worked with Bob for several years before about 1980 and remember well his concern for his clients, but also his devotion to the prevention of a repeat of a world's tragedy that has had such a profound affect on us all. His life had purpose and it will long be remembered.
Christine Evans
April 14, 2005
Dear Mrs. LeRoy and family,
I have such great admiration for your husband. On several occasions, he spoke to our students at Barrington Middle School during our Holocaust studies. To me, his message was always so selfless. All the time that he was sharing his remarkable story, he was telling our students that it was their job to never allow something like this to happen again. When he spoke to our students, you could hear a pin drop. They clung to every word; they immediately respected his words and his life's lessons. For such a strong man who endured so much, Mr. LeRoy was a very gentle man. I know that I speak for many of my colleagues and students from BMS when I say that he was greatly admired and respected. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Michael & Jane Kantor
April 13, 2005
My heart is breaking over the loss of such a tremendous person in my life and in yours, his family. It was one of my greatest priveleges to have known Mr. LeRoy, a rare and amazing person, and I will forever treasure my memories of him. "As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a well spent life brings happy death." (Da Vinci)
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Kris & Scott Schroeder
April 12, 2005
Carol & Family,
So sorry to hear of Robert's passing. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family through this difficult time, and always.
Charlene Korcz
April 12, 2005
Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of a man I truly admired. He will be remembered in my prayers. (Barbara's sister)
Morna Gibbons
April 12, 2005
Carol and Cathi, Helen got word to us very quickly. I am so very sorry. Please know we are thinking about you out here. What an amazing man and an amazing loss.
Jeff Gibeaux
April 12, 2005
Greetings and sympathies...Bob raised a great family. My warmest regards to all.
Gail Page
April 11, 2005
Carol, Deepest sympathy to you and your family on your loss. May you find comfort surrounded by those you love. Our thoughts are with you.
Marilyn & Stuart Letchinger
Gail & Mark Page
Shelley Richter
April 11, 2005
Mrs. LeRoy, Mike, Steve and Cathy,
Our hearts go out to you and your families for your loss. Keep your faith and may your love for each other give you strength at this difficult time.
Kim Stone
April 11, 2005
Dear Carol,
I am so sorry for your loss my heart and love go out to you. Please extend my sympathy to your family. He was a wonderful man and will truly be missed.
Kim, Marty and the boys.
Dr. M.A. & Barbara Fard
April 11, 2005
Dear Carol and family, Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Bob will be greatly missed! He was such a good and kind and generous man. We are better people for knowing him.
saul wexler
April 11, 2005
regret being unable to attend service for this most wonderful, and unusual, gentle man. my prayers and sympathy to carol and their "children".
Amy Callahan
April 11, 2005
Carol, I was very saddened to hear about Bob passing away. He was a wonderful man and it was a pleasure to know him and work with him throughout the years. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Olga Bezanes
April 11, 2005
Dear Carol,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I'm sure he is at a better place and free of pain.
Take care of yourself.
Love,
Olga
suzanne kalfus
April 11, 2005
A wonderful man, he will be missed!
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