L. Leslie Reif ’76 died on February 7, 2004, in San Francisco, California.
(The following was provided by the Princeton Alumni Weekly)
Leslie died Feb. 7, 2004, of complications from an epileptic seizure.
Leslie lived with his family in San Francisco and taught elementary school in Oakland. At Princeton, Leslie majored in politics and was a member of Charter Club.
In a tribute to him, three members of the House of Representatives, including Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, the House Democratic leader, stated the following: “Leslie Reif was the kind of teacher students remember 10 and 20 and even 40 years later, because he made a real difference in their young lives. They will remember him for his tireless dedication to excellence, his infectious optimism, and his deep caring for them and their achievements. He will be remembered as a man who loved working with children.
“He was a kind, modest man who downplayed most of his own accomplishments, while working hard to encourage the success of others. That is the lasting legacy he leaves to his family, his school, our communities, and our country.”
Survivors include Leslie’s wife, Millie Phillips; their son, Daniel; Leslie’s stepson, Jeffrey Morgan; his mother, Rita Reif; and his brother, Tim Reif ’80 *85.
(The following was provided by the SFGate on February 11, 2004)
REIF, L. Leslie Jonathan – Beloved husband of Millie Phillips; father of Daniel Paul; stepfather of Jeffrey Robert Morgan; son of Rita and the late Paul Reif; brother of Timothy; and uncle of Paul Francis, died too soon and unexpectedly at 48, on Saturday, Feb. 7. A dedicated, tireless teacher who never stopped learning from his students at the Jefferson Elementary School in Oakland, he seemed forever young in his enthusiasm. We who loved him dearly, from Vienna to Vancouver, will miss him very much and he will always be in our hearts. As he heard each night as a boy, “Schlafen Sie gut, susse trauma — sleep well, sweet dreams.”