November 6, 2007

Promoter of education for seniors dies at 102
Leo Shapiro was the founding president of the popular Continuing Learning Experience at Cal State Fullerton and led drive to build the Ruby Gerontology Center.

By BARBARA GIASONE

FULLERTON – Leo Shapiro, founding president of a popular program at Cal State Fullerton geared to semi-retired and retired professionals, has died at 102, the university announced today.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute – which offers such classes as “Advances in Medicine,” “Conversational French” and “The American Presidency’’ – currently has more than 800 participants. It was founded in 1979 as The Continuing Learning Experience.

Shapiro, who also spearheaded the fundraising drive to build the university's Ruby Gerontology Center, which opened in 1988, died Oct. 31 at Emerald Court in Anaheim following a short illness.

He was also a founding member of the Orange County chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

At CSF, Shapiro was the first of two individuals to receive the President's Medallion, the university's highest honor awarded to community members.

In a prepared statement, CSF Gerontology Director Pauline Abbott described Shapiro as "a man of extraordinary vision and passion. Even at 102 years, he still had things he wanted to do and wasn't ready to stop living."

Born in Chicago, he retired in 1970 as vice president of advertising and sales for Alpha Beta.

In a 1983 interview, he said, "I have contended through the years that you can retire the body, but you can't retire the mind. We need mental stimulation."

In later years, he was a volunteer for the Cancer Society, the Braille Institute and the Doheny Eye Institute.

In addition to his companion, Barbara Paige, Shapiro is survived by two nieces and a nephew.

Memorial services are set for 2 p.m. on Nov. 20 at Temple Beth Tikvah, 1600 N. Acacia Ave., Fullerton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Braille Institute, the Doheny Eye Institute or Temple Beth Tikvah.