27 Jul 08
"I enjoyed a nice lunch and trip to the book store with Mr. Leonard and his friend Randi in June. He had a variety of ailments this past year but he is able to move around with some assistance. All of this considered, he is doing pretty well. He still lives alone at an assisted living home and is taken on outings by his friend Randi. He especially enjoys long trips to the book store and dinner out. He never tires of talking about old movies and good books."

Rose (Hanson) Neel '84




4 Jun 08

Mr. Leonard was in the hospital for 8 days with pneumonia. He's out now and doing better but is very depressed. Give him a call or drop a line. He does not have any close family members so he would love to hear from BERLINers!
504-615-6535



31 Jul 07

After spending 4 weeks in the hospital after his fall, fracture, surgery and rehab, all parties agreed Mr. Leonard should go into an assisted living facility.
He's been there 2 weeks.
He has an apartment, which he says is quite nice and has all his books etc with him.
But he's using a walker and confined to the facility, selling his house and car.
He was down to 110 pounds but now up to 130 with 3 square meals a day and the "ensure" they have him on.
His cell phone is at his house so he has no numbers to call anyone.
The facility's telephone number is 504-467-1000 and he's in apt 124.
His direct line is 504-712-2054.
His mailing address is: Please give him a call or drop a line. He does not have any close family members so he would love to hear from BERLINers!




22 Jun 07

Mr. Leonard fell on Sunday. His mail man heard him yelling for him on Monday and called 911. He had a non-invasive procedure done on his back (to treat a fracture) and he is feeling much better. He is at the East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, LA. If you would like to call him he can be reached at 504-454-5655. They will connect you to his room, as he'll be changing rooms tomorrow (Saturday). He hasn't been eating well for some time, so he is really enjoying the food. He bragged about the carrot cake and apple pie. He'll be in the hospital for at least another week. If you want to send him a card, I am sure it would make him feel remember. If you want to send a gift, remember that he loves chocolate candy bars. Thankfully, his realator has been willing to go check on him whenever I ask and has even helped get him lawn care assistance. She's a gem. She did go see him today and it lifted his spirits. This accident is probably a good thing. He is surrounded by people telling him how to get some support services. YEAH! He was struggling with that for some time. Anyway, just wanted to keep you updated on the latest with Mr. Leonard.

Rose (Hanson) Neel '84




6 Jan 07

Rose (Hanson) Neel '84 and Jeri (Polansky) Glass '72 talk to Mr. Leonard fairly regularly. He is back to attending "book fairs" and thereby regrowing his library.

Some days are better than others for him as he copes with Parkinson's disease which leaves him dizzy.

He stills enjoys talking to former students so feel free to give him a call at the number listed further down in this thread. He mind is still sharp as he remembers everything in and about BERLIN and will put you to shame!




23 May 06

Dear Students,

To bring you up-to-date I'm alive and well living in "Constructionville USA," aka: Metairie, LA. It's like the wild west here, traffic jams everywhere. The sounds of New Orleans used to be Jazz but now it's the sound of nails on wood. I'm living in a new house, in a new neighborhood but with rowdy neighbors. The doctors and engineers have been replaced by electricians and plumbers.

I was overwhelmed by your generosity of the Gift Certificates. I purchased a lot of books, DVD's and CD's. Those Gift Certificates helped me reestablish my entire library, which brings me great joy.

Thank you so much but enough already!

The local Major Video chain has had a tremendous sale so I have continued my quest to grow the library you all started. Two fairs where books sell for $2 to $3 are coming up soon and I intend to stock up there as well.

I've enjoyed hearing from many of you. I wish I could join you in BERLIN this summer but my health does not allow it. I hope you all have a good time. Give my regards to Steglitz!

Be careful there because I think there are several crypto-commie; pinko-Bolsheviks still out there!

Allan Leonard
504-615-6535




4 Dec 05

Memory Book for Christmas
A book of BERLIN Shots is being made for Mr. Leonard. If you have any memorable photos from the 70's and 80's please send them to rosemneel@aol.com or post them to the photo album at www.kodakgallery.com. User name is BERLINbratclub@yahoo.com and the password is BERLIN.

Photos of Mr. Leonard with students, at the school or just memorable moments are appreciated (remember he lost everything), as well as photos of the city and major events. Some may remember the trip to the Soviet Union. If anyone has shots of Mr. Leonard on that trip, it would be wonderful.
Pictures that need to be scanned can be sent to Rose at:
Rose (Hanson) Neel
10204 Pope Road
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

YOUR PICTURES WILL BE MAILED BACK TO YOU!! Please include your address with any paper photos and I am happy to return them once I have scanned them in to the program. I will take care of the postage. Please submit as soon as possible so Mr. Leonard can receive by Christmas.

Thanks for all the help.
Rose Hanson-Neel '84




22 Nov 05

I heard from Mr. Leonard yesterday.........he had just received his letter with the Gift Card(s) to Border's Book Store. He was literally overwhelmed! Shock might be the more appropriate word as he finds it hard to believe that so many would want to do this for him.

Believe it or not he already has a list of books he wants to replace and will be going to Border's today!!! .........like a child in a candy store he's anxious to get his hands on some history books! He informed that he reads in part some kind of history book daily.......so I firmly believe by making this purchase we hit the ball out of the ballpark!

He wanted to know if "I forced you all to participate" .......I assured him........."Mr. Leonard you had that kind of impact on your students.....they asked me what they could do for you!

Strangely, in our conversation via phone last night he mentioned that a lot of students referred to Mr. Sullivan and him in the same breath, both for their style of teaching w/humor and to avoid Rekucki's class. I informed I would have to read him some of the Sullivan Memories on our site.........as indeed he was mentioned several times.

my best, Jeri




2 Nov 05

To all those that contributed to Mr. Leonard's Fund:
Please know that the Border's Gift Card will be purchased and sent to him next week. Mr. Leonard informed me that he just completed the paperwork and stood in a long line at his local Post Office yesterday to establish delivery at his new abode. He asked that we wait a few more days before sending anything to make sure "Delivery Actually Works" during this hurricane rebuilding process.

The letter with ALL the contributors listed by name and class year has already been prepared and will go out when he gives the go-ahead.

Thanks to ALL who participated in this cause.
my best, Jeri




24 Oct 05

Mr. Leonard has bought a house! He closes on Tuesday and moves in on Wednesday. He will still be in Metairie but in a section undamaged. The interior of his old home has now been gutted and is only a shell. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to savage ANYTHING and as yet has not seen an insurance adjuster. As of today he has ordered a refrigerator and a bed to be delivered on Wednesday. His days now are consumed with trying to buy furniture and household items.......plates, glasses and the like.

He sounds so much better but still remarked that he felt once he moves in the realty of losing all his books and CD's will hit him hard.......so we think we're on the right path with purchasing our Border's Gift Card for him!

His new mailing address is:
601 N. Upland Ave.
Metairie, LA 70003

And the cell number listed below is still good. If you would like to contribute to the Gift Card you still have time. Please see the information posted below for details.

Please continue to call him......this isn't an easy process for anyone and with his advance age and very little family it's even harder. He needs to know we care!

Demonstrate the BERLIN spirit!!!




12 Oct 05

Mr. Leonard is back in the New Orleans area. He is presently working with the Real Estate agent Rose (Hanson) Neel '84 found for him and expects to be in a rental within the next couple of weeks. He NOW HAS A CELL PHONE! That number is: (504)615-6535. (he is having some trouble with his voice mail, so rather than leaving a message call him back!)

His birthday is coming up soon ~ October 14th. So ring and wish him a Happy Birthday!!!!




2 Oct 05

Mr. Leonard has checked out of the Holiday Inn in Prattville and is enroute back to the New Orleans area. He does not have a cellphone so once he gets resettled and has a new contact number we will post that here.

If you still wish to contribute to the BERLIN Brat Fund for him please do so now by sending your donation payable to the BERLIN Brats but mailed to:

Pat Little/BERLIN Brats
1663 Arthur Ave
Melbourne, FL 32935
Be sure and enter "Mr. Leonard's Fund" in the memo line followed by your name and Class Year.
Thank you!!!




26 Sept 05

As noted in a previous post below Mr. Leonard is very anxious to return to the New Orleans area. Since most hotels in the general vicinity are all booked with evacuees and first responders we have convinced him to stay put until we are able to secure lodging for him both enroute to New Orleans from Prattville, AL and some temporary or permanent rental in the general New Orleans/Metairie vicinity.

To that measure, Rose (Hanson) Neel '84 has stepped forward to conduct research for him. Rose has been actively working the phones and internet to locate an acceptable apartment or home to rent.

She has a very promising lead and we hope to have a rental house secured for him shortly.

Meanwhile Mr. Leonard has received calls from several of you. He really does appreciate these and wishes to thank you!



19 Sep 05

BERLIN Alums,

We have been hearing from quite a few of you asking how or what we could do for Mr. Leonard. Since he has lost his home and personal belongings contributing money seems the easiest solution. However, Mr. Leonard is a proud man and several of us who have spoken to him believe he would not accept money. (....additionally he has informed that he is okay money wise having paid off his house, has some investments, and is covered by insurance).

The three things he seems to be the most distraught about is losing his personal library (ie: history books), his CD collection (he loves his music) and his BERLIN yearbooks.

Therefore after consulting with several who have spoken to him (ie: Mark Phelps '73, Mr. Adam Hildenbrand-FAC, Pat (Martel) Little '72, and Rose (Hanson) Neel '84 to name just a few) we propose starting a BERLIN Brats Funds to purchase a rather large (...hopefully) Border's Gift Card. Mr. Leonard could then spend time rebuilding his personal passion of both books and CD's.

To tackle the third item I will be bringing one or two of the BERLIN yearbooks we offer For Sale on our website to the Reunion next summer and have EVERYONE write a personal message to him.

If you would like to contribute please mail your contribution to:

Pat Little/BERLIN Brats
1663 Arthur Ave
Melbourne, FL 32935
Please indicate "Mr. Leonard's Fund" on the memo line of your check and add your name and class year.

We will then submit the Gift Card in a Hallmark card with everyone's name listed.

In the meantime please call him! All he is capable of doing right now is sitting in a hotel room provided by FEMA in Prattville, Alabama. Again that number is: 334-285-3420, room 101. He may be relocating in a few days and we will attempt to keep you all posted.

Thank you so much for your concern and your desire to contribute in some small way.
Jeri (Polansky) Glass '72



On September 15, 2005 Tim Shaw '85, reconnected with BERLIN American High School's beloved US and European History teacher, Mr. Leonard. Tim was in the Montgomery area golfing with his father-in-law that day, one day after Tim's wife, Jenni Hewitt Shaw '85, heard Mr. Leonard had been displaced to Prattville, AL, a suburb of Montgomery, AL. Jenni called Mr. Leonard immediately upon hearing of his situation and made arrangements for Tim to meet Mr. Leonard the next afternoon for a cup of coffee and a boxful of memories.

It's hard to tell who enjoyed the visit more, Tim or Mr. Leonard, but one thing is for sure there is a connection that is hard to sever among BERLINers, students and teachers alike. We pray for the safe return of Mr. Leonard to his home in New Orleans where he was born and raised. Mr. Leonard plans to rebuild his life in Metairie (a bedroom community of New Orleans). While some of his material memories, such as yearbooks, history books, pictures and Russian memorabilia are gone with the wind, his memories of the BERLIN era of his life remain strong, his spirit stronger and his final thoughts to Tim were "When they write about it, I hope they get it right." But what else is a history teacher supposed to think?



13 Sep 05

Dear BERLIN Brats,
I am safe. I didn't evacuate but rode out the storm in a Sheraton Hotel in Metairie LA. It was terrifying. After the storm ended, the National Guard evacuated me (and others) to a hospital. When the hospital was evacuated I was sent to the overpass where buses were supposed to pick us up to take us from the city. The buses never arrived and there were 10,000 people waiting for the buses, pushing and shoving. The heat index was 110 degrees. The dead and dying were everywhere. Things were out of control and there were few policemen or soldiers to keep order. No organization.

I had a heat stroke. They laid me out on Interstate-10 which was full of dirt and grease. I had fainted and finally I was tossed in an ambulance and taken to the airport. It was being used as a triage for the sick, it was not operating. The airport is getting bad publicity because a lot of people were sick and dying there. I was taken in the ambulance to the city of Lafayette and left in the emergency ward. I was able to contact a nephew who brought me to where my niece was. My nephew couldn't help because his business transferred immediately to Memphis and he had to go there. My brother is somewhere in north Alabama and being taken care of, but in poor health.

I am in Prattville Alabama (near Montgomery) where I have a cousin. I am staying at the Prattville Holiday Inn and the phone is 334-285-3420 (room 101).

I am in really bad health. I am 79 years old. I always told you there was life after BERLIN American High School.

Best regards,
Allan J. Leonard

(sent by a distant relative, Jim Kerlin)


As a follow up, I spoke to Mr Leonard tonight. FEMA is paying for him to stay in this hotel for 2 weeks. His nephew's company has transferred him out of town and his niece already has 15 living with her so he opted for the FEMA option.

He has suffered a mini-stroke in addition to the above suffering. He is alone except for a cousin who comes by and takes him out for meals.

During all his transfers he was able to get back and view his house which is destroyed. His car was recovered but is in a different town from his present location.

I have offered him my home (in AZ) but he is insistent on staying close to the area as he would like to get into an apartment in the New Orleans area when people are allowed back in. He feels the availability will be limited and wants to make sure he is immediately there when the time comes.

He has been able to order his meds and has access to his funds. As for personal property all he has is what he managed to squeeze into 2 plastic garage bags.

He has promised to call before leaving the hotel and I will check on him every few days. He has no cell phone nor access to a computer.

He would however love to hear from you. Obviously he is very depressed and at 79, with failing health, this is going to be very difficult for him to handle. A distant cousin in North Carolina is helping him long distance with filing FEMA claims.

I'm sure his situation will change daily. Ideally, in the short term, it would be nice if we could find someone in the general vicinity for him to stay with; at least until he can move back to the Metairie area.

At this juncture he would like to have his lot cleared and then sell, moving into an apt in the same general area.

Again, please call him. He needs to know we care and are thinking of him. By the end of our call there was a huge difference in his tone.

Thank you so much,
Jeri (Polansky) Glass '72



7 Sep 05

Many of you have asked about one of our favorite, former teachers, Mr. Allan J. Leonard, who taught at BAHS from 1969 to 1987, and who lives in Metairie, LA. (a bedroom community of New Orleans).

Mr. Leonard is single, lives alone and because of medical problems does not travel anymore. It is felt he may not have evacuated. We believe he does have a brother living nearby and perhaps with that connection he did? We have no way of knowing at this point. The BERLIN Brats have registered him as a "missing person" on the Red Cross site, the Nola.com (the specific New Orleans site) and craigslist.com per recommendations from the local networks.

Mr. Leonard did not own a computer and will probably not think to post himself as being safe should he be out of harm's way. It is hoped that if evacuated by the local or federal officials, he will show up on some official list AND alert us.

As soon as we learn anything we will post that information here.

Mr. Leonard is not the only BERLIN Brat affected by Hurricane Katrina. However he is elderly, single, living alone, non-driving and suffering from medical aliments that we know of.

Should you have any information that you can share please do so at: BERLINBrats@gmail.com Thank you.

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this horrible national disaster. We encourage you do whatever you are capable of to help those in need.