Obituary: Henry Leibowitz

Henry Leibowitz’s life was defined by his love for his family and friends, his work, and his art. He was a lifelong tinkerer, career orthodontist and talented potter. His hands were his gift, and they could fix anything with duct tape and super glue.

Henry was a loving husband to Harriet for 60 years. They enjoyed a beautiful life filled with shared passions and individual artistic endeavors. They shared mutual respect and many laughs. Henry was her biggest fan, and she was his.

He was the adoring father of Mark, Scott, and Gayle. He was Poppy to Jack, Raya, Luke, Kol and Emma. He was a friend, teacher, and mentor to many.

Harriet and Henry lived among his pots, bowls, and vases and her photography in the home where they raised their children. They enjoyed lively dinners with friends, travels with their family, art shows and happenings around the city.

Throughout a celebrated orthodontic career, Henry loved to see his good work shine in the confident smiles of his patients. He poured himself into pottery, gifting his work to friends and family. Like everything he did, he was a quick study and disciplined artisan.

A great storyteller, Henry shared his insights with his family and friends and took great interest in their lives as well. Henry was known for his quick sense of humor and his sense of wonder and curiosity. He was a lifelong learner. An Eagle Scout, Henry could tie knots, build things up and break them down. He was creative, quirky, interested and interesting, and at times lovingly irreverent. He was wise to the world around him and could eloquently and with humor call someone out.

Henry was born and raised in Ocala, Fla. They were one of only two Jewish families, and their kosher meat was brought in on a Greyhound bus. A young Henry thought that everyone got their meat at the Greyhound bus station.

Henry came to Atlanta to attend Emory University as an undergraduate and as a dental student. It was during this time that he met and later married Harriet. Upon Henry’s graduating dental school, they moved to Boston where he completed his post-graduate training in orthodontics at Tufts University School of Medical Dentistry. After finishing, they moved back to Atlanta where he had a thriving orthodontics practice and raised his family.

Although his life was marked by accomplishments and achievements, he would often tell his friends that Harriet and his family were the best thing about his life. Henry is survived by his wife Harriet, his children Mark (Christi) Leibowitz, Scott (Jennifer) Leibowitz, Gayle Schwartz, his grandchildren Jack, Raya, Luke, Kol, Emma, and his sister Roslyn “Bunny” Weinstein, along with many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Rose and Bob Leibowitz and his brother, Alan (Rozi) Leibowitz. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.