Herman Ruby Leider

Herman Ruby Leider, formerly of Livermore, died March 10. He was 88.

Leider was born to Jacob and Esther Leider on Jan. 14, 1929 in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Central High School in Detroit in 1947 and graduated from Wayne University (now Wayne State U) with a Ph.D.in chemistry in 1954. After working for Bell Labs in Cleveland for two years after graduation, he then moved to Berkeley, California and began work at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). There he met and worked with a young widow and mother, Marjorie von Egidy. Leider and Marjorie married in 1960 and were married until his passing in 2017. They lived together in Livermore until relocating to Santa Rosa a year ago.

Herman was actively involved with family, and because both his daughters were involved with the Livermore “Aquacowboys," was a nationally-qualified swimming official for the AAU, acting as the Zone 2 national president for three years. The chance adoption of a retired racing greyhound, “Twiggy,” led to a lifelong interest in greyhounds. He and his wife owned and bred greyhounds and had many treasured companions. He served as the treasurer of the Greyhound Club of America, and as the president and as the treasurer of the Del Valle Dog Club.

His daughters joked that he was “Head of Compatibility,” but in his workplace, he really was. He worked at LLNL as the section leader for the Physical Chemistry Department and Group Leader in Materials Compatibility and was very involved as task leader for multiple major projects. He was a member of the American Chemical Society, American Physical Society, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American defense Preparedness Agency and also a member of Phi Lambda Upsilon and Sigma Xi. The most personally rewarding aspect of his scientific career was teaching underprivileged students as a Visiting Scientist for the TOPS school Science Outreach Program. After his retirement, he was active in the TOPS for many years, bringing science to elementary public schools in the San Joaquin Valley. For his enthusiasm and excellent rapport with the students he received the prestigious Golden Apple Award, a teaching achievement award given by each state.

Leider was committed to making Livermore a wonderful place to live and was very civically involved. He served as the chair of the City of Livermore Public Art Committee, member of the City of Livermore Industrial Advisory Committee and as president of Friends of the Vineyards. As an accomplished artist who began serious watercolor painting after his retirement from LLNL in 1993, he served as vice president of the Livermore Cultural Arts Council, president and secretary of Del Valle Fine Arts, president of the Livermore Art Association, member of the Pleasanton Art League and member and participant in school outreach for the California Watercolor Association. He traveled to the American Southwest and Europe on several painting trips, and he leaves a legacy of beautiful works of art. His proudest moment was when he did some consulting work for the Getty Museum in Los Angeles and was allowed to hang one of his pieces (albeit after hours) in the Getty Museum.

He loved music (classic, jazz and opera) and was also an accomplished contract bridge player. He was a raconteur, told hilarious jokes and was always the life of any party. He also grilled a mean flank steak teriyaki.

Leider also enjoyed his daily crossword puzzles, Sudoku, his family and ice cream; not necessarily in that order. His family (and everyone else) enjoyed his sense of humor and his boundless intellect.

He is predeceased by his parents Jacob and Esther Leider and is survived by his spouse of 56 years, Marjorie Ruth Leider, daughters Karen (David Fichman) and Amy, grandchildren Jesse Fichman and Alana Fichman and sister Elaine Leider.

In lieu of flowers, donations made be made to the TOPS program (administered through the San Joaquin County Office of Education) or The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center. There will be a private memorial at a later date.