We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Leonard Unterberger. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
OBITUARY
Leonard Unterberger was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. He lived in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Thailand and Colorado. He had a highly successful career in Chicago as a psychotherapist specializing in youth and at-risk families. He retired to Thailand and Colorado where he enjoyed many good friends, spiritual and cultural activities, and the tropical warmth. He was a great lover of cats, books, classical music, international travel,... see more
Leonard Unterberger was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. He lived in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Thailand and Colorado. He had a highly successful career in Chicago as a psychotherapist specializing in youth and at-risk families. He retired to Thailand and Colorado where he enjoyed many good friends, spiritual and cultural activities, and the tropical warmth. He was a great lover of cats, books, classical music, international travel, and the New York Times Sunday editions. Few people in the world could match his free spirit and sharp mind. There is so much more to add here about my father, but words are hard to come by amidst the suddenness of his passing. Please add your stories and/or photos to this living memorial. And if you want to make a donation to a charity meaningful to Len, we suggest donating to your community's symphony.
We were thinking of Len this last week; today I happened to be sorting books and found one he had co-authored and given to us with the dedication: "Dear Carol and Gottfried, To mark the passing of time, it's filling and its emptying." We... moreWe were thinking of Len this last week; today I happened to be sorting books and found one he had co-authored and given to us with the dedication: "Dear Carol and Gottfried, To mark the passing of time, it's filling and its emptying." We decided to see whether we would find him on the internet, only to find that he had just died on 6 of June.
We both met Len at Antioch College, Carol a year before I did; he and I were room-mates 1958/59. We saw him a couple of times in Chicago and he visited us in Toronto about 15 years ago. He was always the same good friend and someone we assumed would accompany us throughout our lives.
Our hearts go out to you, Lorin and Ruth, and to your mother. With much love, Gottfried and Carol less
Bob and I send our love and condolences to you and Ruth on the sudden loss of your father and the sad and difficult current life circumstances around it. Please accept our gift in his name to help the stray animals of Thailand.
The Thailand Phil mourns the loss of our longtime friend and supporter, Leonard Unterberger. Len was a warm presence in our audience for fifteen years....
When Ruth and I were in middle school, Len took us to his farm a few times. The first time I went, we visited John Deere's home nearby, and he showed me the Eternal Indian statue on the Rock River. He opened my eyes to the littler known, yet important... moreWhen Ruth and I were in middle school, Len took us to his farm a few times. The first time I went, we visited John Deere's home nearby, and he showed me the Eternal Indian statue on the Rock River. He opened my eyes to the littler known, yet important cultural attractions that may be out of way, but we should make the time and effort to visit.
Another time we went, it was during the long 4th of July weekend. He took us to the county fair. Ruth and I had a blast! That night, he set up a fire and brought out some hotdogs. While we roasted them, he prepared a platter of hotdog buns, ketchup, mustard, relish, the works and brought it out. He taught me that a simple campfire can become a gourmet meal.
The farmhouse was humble, but it had everything we needed. There was a window we could use to access the roof. Ruth and I watched the stars from that spot. We don't always need fancy things, there are still perks.
My favorite memory of visiting the farm is actually riding the tractor to a little hidden spot where there was a metal arbor (arch) with a bench. Life should contain little delights.
At this time of remembrance, I would like to share several memories of Len from early in our marriage.
Len and I met in a family therapy agency in Hyde Park, Chicago. He was a trainer and consultant to the program. I was a family counselor. Len was an... moreAt this time of remembrance, I would like to share several memories of Len from early in our marriage.
Len and I met in a family therapy agency in Hyde Park, Chicago. He was a trainer and consultant to the program. I was a family counselor. Len was an extremely knowledgeable in all family therapy: theory and practice. He taught at training sessions where 100-200 participants would attend. I often brought Lorin as an infant to Len’s trainings and I felt proud of Len for his extensive training talent.
Len loved social gatherings. He routinely invited many people he knew or met along the way to his home and cooked them, most often, Asian or hot pot meals. Len willingly shared his extensive knowledge with everyone present and was deeply appreciated for it.
I am most grateful to Len for my two children Lorin and Ruth whom I love deeply. Secondly I appreciate Len for deciding to move out of Hyde Park, Chicago to Oak Park, Illinois. Throughout the twists and turns of life, I was privileged to live and enjoy Oak Park for over 30 years.
Thank you Len for these things and so much more…. less
My father's funeral and cremation took place yesterday in a Buddhist temple in Thailand. Though his leaving may seem isolated from us I believe it suits his Independant and brave spirit well.
My earliest memory of Lenny is from when I was a kid. He visited my parents house and gifted Noam and I these beautiful birds made out of stone, and at the time I was struck that it was the most beautiful, extraordinary gift I could recall every having... moreMy earliest memory of Lenny is from when I was a kid. He visited my parents house and gifted Noam and I these beautiful birds made out of stone, and at the time I was struck that it was the most beautiful, extraordinary gift I could recall every having received. He also recommended a few books to me (including The Mists of Avalon) that I subsequently purchased, read, and continue to treasure to this day.
Since then, Lenny continued to be a periodic but inspiring presence in my life. During another visit, he recounted how he'd read the entire dictionary.. and immediately I was inspired. I remembered thinking that if only I read the dictionary I might become as smart as him. That said, I only ended up getting 5 pages in (they were taking me 20 minutes each!), since by the end of the fifth page I realized I couldn't remember most of the words on the first page. In that moment I resigned myself to the fact that Lenny was simply extraordinary, and that I would probably never have as strong diction as him.
While we didn't see each other for a number of years after that, I carried his list of book recommendations around with me almost everywhere I went (in the hopes of stumbling upon a used bookstore that carried them), and he maintained a treasured place in my heart.
It wasn't until 2012 as I was graduating university that I finally got to spend quality time with him as an adult. He hosted me for a few days in Pattaya, and in doing so role modeled for me what it means to live in the present and prioritize joy. A week later, when I fell ill, he helped me find a quality hospital and flew to Chiang Mai to visit me and make sure I knew I wasn't alone.
If I think of one word that describes my experience of Lenny, it's 'inspiring'. I'm trying to role model the life lessons he role modeled to me to my daughter, and can't wait for her to grow old enough that she can learn about his story, and be inspired by him as well. less
Dear Lorin and Ruthie, please accept our condolences on the loss of your father.
Your father was a unique individual, so easy to keep in our memories. His gentle way stood out from the crowd.
Cousin Lenny was there for us when Coby was ill in... moreDear Lorin and Ruthie, please accept our condolences on the loss of your father.
Your father was a unique individual, so easy to keep in our memories. His gentle way stood out from the crowd.
Cousin Lenny was there for us when Coby was ill in Thailand. He was there for our family — his outstanding listening skills, his gentle words, his sense of love for family, and his subtle, kind way of nudging people in a particular direction, and yet leaving people to their own decisions/choices.
Lenny lived his life in a way that suited his aspirations and that he felt would bring value to the world. His life was a gift to many.
Hamakom Yenachem etchem b'toch she'ar avlei Tsiyon v'Yerushalayim. May G-d comfort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. less
Our deepest condolences to your family. I will always remember my conversations with Len over the years; he was always insightful, interesting, and full of love. And his sense of humour was perfect! He was an important part of the simchas over the years,... moreOur deepest condolences to your family. I will always remember my conversations with Len over the years; he was always insightful, interesting, and full of love. And his sense of humour was perfect! He was an important part of the simchas over the years, and a very important part of my life. I think what he gave us for our wedding speaks volumes about Len; he gave us a phenomenally crafted building block set from Europe. He told us they would last generations (true enough!), and that "we should constantly play and not to forget to have fun" when we parent. Our kids grew up with those blocks, we remembered to have fun, and we still have them and admire them. It was a unique gift, from a unique individual. He was an inspiration and will be missed. All our love,
Paul, Galina, Sophie and Jessie. less
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