Leonard Pritikin

Leonard Pritikin passed away peacefully in his home on July 19, 2018.

Leonard was born on May 17, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois to William and Anna Pritikin.  He graduated from Crane Tech High School in 1938 and began a photo engraving apprenticeship.  On February 19, 1940 he enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving in the Pacific during the war where he was injured.  Leonard received an honorable medical discharge on January 10, 1945.  Upon his return to Chicago, Leonard purchased a bar with winnings he’d earned from blackjack games with his Marine buddies.  In 1946, he married Geneva Copeland and they had two children, Steven and Neysa.  Eventually Leonard sold his bar and went back into the photo engraving business.  Upon his retirement, he and Geneva moved to New Mexico, eventually ending up in Silver City.  Leonard was very active in many social and service organizations, volunteering countless hours.  In 2003 the Chamber of Commerce named Leonard and Geneva “Citizens of the Year”.  In December 2016, Leonard was awarded an honorary degree from WNMU.

Leonard is survived by his son, Steven.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years and his daughter, Neysa.

A memorial service will be held at the Fort Bayard National Cemetery August 10, 2018 at 1:00 followed by a reception at the WNMU Museum at 2:00.  Numerous family and friends will miss Grant County’s oldest Marine.

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