Obituary: Leon Irwin Rechtman

Leon Irwin Rechtman, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully on Jan. 29, 2023, at the age of 94. Born in Toledo, Ohio, Leon was the youngest of the four children born to Jenny and Sol Rechtman.

Leon’s father, Sol Rechtman, emigrated to the United States from Chelmnik, Russia (on the Russia/ Poland border) in 1913. Leon’s mother, Jenny Rechtman, and Leon’s older sister, Belle, followed Sol to Ellis Island in 1919. Leon’s father, Sol Rechtman, had fled from the Russian army during a Russian Revolution due to antisemitism in the Russian military.

Leon was predeceased by his siblings and their spouses, Belle (Herb), Melvin (Bettie) and Edwin (Esther). He was the last Rechtman of his generation, and therefore, his passing has increased significance to his loving extended family.

Leon Rechtman is survived by his wife, Ann Scott Rechtman. Leon is survived by his four children, David Rechtman (Judy), Michael Rechtman (Sheryl), Scott Rechtman, and Sallie Friedman. Leon is survived by his seven grandchildren, Jami Rechtman, Lauren Rechtman (Jeff Chod), Joel Rechtman, Rebecca Friedman, Jennifer Friedman, Michelle Rechtman, and Hannah Friedman. Leon is survived by his two great-grandchildren, Logan Chod, and Ella Lucille Chod.

Leon attended the University of Michigan and earned a B.S. in Chemistry in 1950. He married Lucille Greenberg (Rechtman) Freiser. Leon was married to Lucille for 26 years, before they divorced in the 1970s.

Leon’s father, Sol Rechtman, founded a textile manufacturing plant in Detroit, Wolverine Hat & Cap. In approximately 1950, Sol moved his plant to western Alabama, to the town of Reform in Pickens County. Leon, his brothers, Mel and Ed, and his brother-in-law, Herb, came with Sol to rural Alabama to help manage the factory. Wolverine Hat & Cap Manufacturing Co. became the largest employer in town. The extended families of Sol Rechtman were the only Jewish families in the region.

When U.S. textile manufacturing became less economically feasible, Leon Rechtman decided to return to school to become a dentist. During this journey, he lived for a few years in Tuscaloosa, then in Birmingham. Leon graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Dental School in 1963 at the age of 35. During dental school, he became active in Alpha Omega, the professional Jewish dental fraternity.

After graduation from dental school, Leon moved his family to Atlanta to pursue his dental career. He practiced dentistry primarily in Chamblee, but also worked stints in Dahlonega, LaGrange, and Atlanta. Leon gave back by volunteering to provide dental services to Atlantans who could not afford them at the Ben Massell Dental Clinic. Leon founded the LaGrange Denture Clinic and worked in the dental field well into his eighties.

Leon and his growing family lived in Morningside and were members of Ahavath Achim Synagogue.

As a second career, Leon volunteered to serve the Volunteers for Israel (VFI) organization. VFI creates opportunities for American civilian volunteers to serve on IDF bases in Israel, and is affiliated with Sar-El, an Israeli organization. It is estimated that Leon himself volunteered in Israel approximately 19 times over a span of 25 years. Leon was subsequently named the Southeast Regional Director of VFI.

A memorial service and Celebration of Life for Leon Rechtman was held at Temple Kol Emeth in Marietta, Georgia on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. Contributions in memory of Leon may be made to Volunteers For Israel or the Southern Poverty Law Center.

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