Leon Ellenbogen

Leon Ellenbogen was born on May 3, 1927 in Brooklyn, NY to Bella Zalesnick (Eastern European Immigrant) and Martin Ellenbogen, a native New Yorker. He died peacefully of natural causes and dementia with his son Rich at his side, at age 95 in Washington State. His family was the center of his life since he was a child. He was close to his older sister Shirley all his life and talked to her weekly until she pre-deceased him at age 90. He worshipped his mother for her kindness and his father for his great sense of humor and work ethic, all character traits which he inherited.

Leon was an impressive student and product of the New York City School System graduating from Jefferson High school in the East New York district of Brooklyn at age 16. Shortly after graduation, with his mother’s permission, he voluntarily enlisted in the Navy to serve in WWII and was sent oversees at age 18. He served as a Navy Corpsman as part of Pacific Invasion Force until 1947 and returned via the Panama Canal to New York. He subsequently earned a BS in 1949 in chemistry at City College of New York, taking advantage of the GI bill. He then earned a Master of Science degree at New York University in 1951, followed by a PhD in biochemistry at Indiana University in 1954.

He would also meet, and marry the love of his life, Roslyn Barban of the Bronx while at City College. Their first date was reputed to be Babe Ruth’s farewell speech in 1947 as they were both avid Yankee fans all their lives. Their relationship was an Epic One and they would stay together happily, and quite humorously, for approximately 70 years until Roslyn pre-deceased Leon in 2019.

Leon raised 3 children with Roslyn: Kenneth Allan Ellenbogen (Phyllis) of Richmond, Virginia, Richard Glen Ellenbogen (Sandy) of Seattle, Washington and Cheryl Sue Ellenbogen of Nanuet, New York. He leaves behind 6 grandchildren, Michael, Amy, Rachel, Paul, Bethany and Zachary. He leaves behind 4 great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Lia, Ethan and Jake. Leon and Roz were founding members of New City Jewish Center and were dedicated, active members in the community for over 50 years.

Leon became a brilliant research scientist working in both academia, and Pharma. His first industry job was at Lederle Laboratory of American Cyanamid Company in Pearl River, New York and worked until 1997, and as a consultant after age 70. He rose to the rank of Executive in the Consumer Health Division of his last company (1995-1997) American Home Products. He was an adjunct professor of nutrition and Cornell University Medical College since 1978 and New York Medical College since 1981. His medical accomplishments were many. He was an Inductee, Worldwide Lifetime Achievement (2017); recipient of the Steuben Apple for Contributions to Scientific Research; Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN); Fellow, American Society for Nutritional Sciences; Fellow, The New York Academy of Sciences and a Featured Listee, Who’s Who in America. He served on the United States Pharmacopeia expert committees, 1995-2005.

He was amazing productive and a tireless worker. Work was the elixir of life for him and he remained dedicated to science and discovery to the end. He is the author of several books and over 100 research manuscripts. His greatest scientific contributions were in the field of Vitamin B-12, Intrinsic Factor and Nutritional supplements. He contributed to the creation of safe and effective Vitamin formulations such as Centrum, Materna, Centrum Silver, Acuvite vitamins. He held numerous patents and was admired for his collaborative scientific approach.

But he best known by his family, countless friends and admirers for his uplifting and remarkable character traits. He was kind, extremely generous and loving of his family and friends. He doted on his three children, and six grandchildren instilling a strong love for education, for family and for a life of service. He was a proud parent, grandparent and great grandparent. He would help anyone in need and ask nothing in return. He was beloved by all, for his gentlemanly, respectful and dignified countenance. He was the last person through the door or on line and let everyone know how much he appreciated them. He thanked those who helped him by courteously kissing their hand. He was insatiably curious reading a scientific journal and the New York Times every day of his adult life. He refused to participate in gossip and only said respectable things about people, thus creating a field of positivity about him. He possessed the moral courage to stand up for things he believed in passionately such as national service, women’s rights, racial justice, public education and his commitment to a free press. He maintained his funny, and clever sense of humor even after he spiraled into dementia. His joy was as inextinguishable as his goodness and kindness. He was athletic all his life, remaining active and fit right up to his death.

He spent his last 7 years with Roslyn at an Independent Living and then Memory Care Apartment in Seattle. He was blessed to have wonderful caregivers and Sandy, his daughter-in-law who doted on Leon and Roslyn, recognizing the beauty in Leon’s personality and indominable spirit.

The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to Kline Galland Hospice. Donations can be sent to Kline Galland – Attn: Nate Nusbaum, Chief Philanthropy Officer at 7500 Seward Park S, Seattle WA 98118. For online contribution: https://www.klinegalland.org/get-involved/donate/

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 6, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Hellman Memorial Chapels, 15 State Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977. Interment will follow at Cedar Park Cemetery, 735 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ 07652.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Hellman Memorial Chapels, 15 State Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977 (845)356-8600 Jewish Funeral Directors.

Please click on the link below in order to view the Funeral Webcasting:

https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/85525

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hellmanmemorial.com for the Ellenbogen family.