Leonard C. Horvitz

Leonard Horvitz was larger than life. He graduated from University School in 1941 and after attending the University of Pennsylvania for one year, he went off to World War II to serve his country in Patton’s Third Army. Leonard fought in all five battles in the European Theater, including the Battle of the Bulge and D-Day. As a result of his honorable service, he earned five bronze stars, the World War II Victory Metal and the EAME Theater Ribbon, among others. He also helped liberate Dachau concentration camp.

After the war, Leonard went to work for his family’s construction business, which he helped grow into the largest heavy highway construction company in Ohio. He worked with his brothers to build up a diverse conglomeration of businesses, including newspapers, cable television and Florida real estate. In the late 1980’s, he and his two brothers decided to sell the operating businesses and focus on investing.

Leonard loved to work and until a year ago would be one of the first people in the office. Despite his declining health, he continued to come to the office every day until this spring when remote working was required. He adored the people in his office and considered all of them like family. They felt the same about him.

Leonard had a huge heart and was an extremely generous philanthropist. He and his wife Joan made a transformative donation to Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in the late 1990’s, building the Leonard and Joan Horvitz Tower which was, at the time, the most technologically advanced pediatric facility in the nation. Over the years, he supported many capital endeavors at Rainbow including the addition of two new pediatric emergency rooms in memory of his late daughter-in-law. He was also a large supporter of the Cleveland Clinic and was devoted to his alma-mater, University School, where he had been captain of the wrestling team his senior year. Even more than his public philanthropy, Leonard loved helping individual people. He was generous to a fault and quietly helped untold numbers of people who needed financial or other forms of help in their lives.

Leonard’s primary hobby was his family. He adored them immensely and enjoyed many years with his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Leonard C. Horvitz, beloved husband of Joan (nee Lewis). Loving father of Jeffrey (Carol) Horvitz and Richard (Erica) Horvitz. Step-father of Nina (Tom) Mendenhall and Eloise Clark. Devoted grandfather of Danielle (Michael) Weiner, Matthew (Elizabeth) Horvitz, Christina (Sean Murphy) Horvitz, Caroline Horvitz, and step-grandfather of Ashley (Neal) Robin, Joshua (Michelle) Sunday, Courtney Mendenhall, Jason Woodside, Alessandra Clark and Max Clark. Great-grandfather of Arabella Weiner, Brooks Weiner, Judith Horvitz, Meredith Horvitz, Greyson Murphy and step-great-grandfather of Samuel Sunday and Oliver Sunday. Dear brother of the late Harry R. (Lois) Horvitz and William D. (Norma) Horvitz.

Private family graveside services were held Sept. 10 at Lake View Cemetery. Family requests no visitation.

Friends who wish may contribute to the Leonard C. Horvitz Memorial Fund c/o The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, P.O. Box 931517 Cleveland, OH 44193; or Leonard Horvitz Memorial Fund (UHGiving.org/LeonardHorvitz). Donations can also be mailed to UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Leonard Horvitz Memorial Fund, Institutional Relations & Development, P.O. Box 94554 Cleveland, OH 44101-4554.