Death leaves a gaping void

Editor: The news of Leon Kahn's death was devastating to anyone who had the fine fortune to know him. About three weeks before his passing, Leon called me at my office at the Vancouver Sun where I work as the health issues reporter. He was intrigued by a story I had written about a new and promising medication for people afflicted with Lou Gehrig's disease.

Leon had a friend in Israel dying from the disease and wanted to know more about the availability of the drug, etc. A month earlier, he had called asking about a chemotherapy treatment for another friend and, a month before that, about research I had reported regarding another type of illness, again for the sake of a friend.

Anyone who knew Leon could undoubtedly share a similar anecdote about his generosity, righteousness and unwavering concern for others. His death leaves this community with a gaping void. Leon Kahn was a humanitarian giant, a true hero, as Rabbi Baumol described him in his outstanding eulogy. It is now up to the rest of us to find inspiration in the way Leon lived his life – with integrity, compassion and grace.

Pamela Fayerman Lachman
Vancouver