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Anne Anglim, M.D.
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LAC/USC medical center
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I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Leedom’s death, and would surely wish to extend all of my deepest sympathies to his family.
While I have only been at USC for a relatively brief period, I also will feel his absence. His attendance at Wednesday Case Conference immensely broadened the experience for all present. For me, he was a great teacher, a member of a fading generation of “triple threats” (clinician-teacher-investigator), instilling my (never-ending) medical education with a strong connection to time (in history), place (the critical geographical context), and (the whole) person/patient.
He seemed to place a priority on truth, often illuminating concepts with a rhetorical hyperbolic humor used often by such luminaries as Dr. Edward Hook from the University of Virginia, and Drs. Donald Seldin, and Jay P. Sanford from the University of Texas-Southwestern. I use these shining examples of those whose wisdom still informs my vision today, but whose lessons in years past were often presented with a salubrious dose of trepidation which likely solidifies learning.
I am only one of a new century’s generation of physicians whose professional identities are challenged by hyper-specialization, reliance on detached technologies, and forceful oversight by those who have never recited an ancient oath. By holding onto the legacy of the noble work of medicine, I can hope to “keep the eyes on the ball” and do justice to those ideals embodied by teachers like Dr. Leedom.
It would be a privilege to contribute to any memorial established.
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cynthia and thomas berne
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los angeles, CA
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We will miss John walking through the halls of County.He has been a colleague and friend for several decades. Love and thoughts go to Anita, John Jr and Lianne, adn the grandchldren.
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Mark Miller
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Los Angeles
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I miss him already. He was always well spoken and erudite. He was truly a man of science and a lover of the Teutonic beers at the Red Lion Tavern. LAC/USC won't be the same without him.
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Nissim Leon
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Boyle Heights
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I was very fortunate to have known Dr.John.He and his wife(Anita)have been part of my life for 20 years,whether we were talking sports,beer or jokes I enjoyed our conversations and he made sure to stop me in the hallways so we could chat.I was always in awe of Dr.John because he was such a great physician and professor yet he was so humble and down to earth it set him apart from others that are held in such high regard.Over the years I was the recipient of many usc tickets that the Leedom's could not use and I would gladly accept,they knew I loved the trojans and they would always think of me.One day when I was speaking to one of the Residents at the hospital I mentioned I had called Dr.Leedom at home to ask him a question and he said''you know him he is a legend'' I'm happy I had a chance to tell him the story he got a kick out of it because he viewed himsef as just one of the guys. I must admit he was right you are truly a legend.Anita I love you!
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Jorge mestman
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USC
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Great human being; superb clinician. My deepest sympathy to Anita and the children
Jorge
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Toby Horn
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Los Angeles
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In 1978 I began my three decade career as an administrator at the Los Angeles County Medical Center. As luck would have it, the 6th floor Internal Medicine complex headed by Dr. Leedom, was one of my first major assignments. I was terrified of him, as initially he appeared gruff and sharp spoken. I came to learn over time, that his asperity was a cover for a profound caring for our patients, the institution and those few, lucky employees he deemed as hard working. Early in the morning I would always see him on rounds with the house officers – Coke can in hand. (In later years he switched to Diet Coke.) He would give a curt nod, and acknowledge me to the house officers as one of the few people who could get something done at the hospital. When passing him in the main hall of the hospital, he would float a pithy comment about the state of affairs at the Medical Center, walk a few steps then stop, come back and mitigate his remarks with a gentler comment. Dr. Leedom was a terrific stealth bomber. When we needed to jump start a new program, or had trouble achieving something from a balky administration, I would ask Dr. Leedom to attend a meeting with me. His (sometimes overly) frank assessment of a problem would clarify the issue as well as raise the discomfort level in the room. The rest is history – we always prevailed! And remember what Dr. Leedom taught me… never paint a patient room yellow. The reflection makes it hard to determine whether a patient is jaundiced or not. I will miss my friend.
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P. Jan Geiseler
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USC Keck School of Medicine
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It was with great grief that I found out last Thursday about the unexpected death of John. He was an oustanding scientist, teacher & leader. We will all sorely miss him and I wanted to convey my deepest sympathy.
I had known John for many years although initially it was a very peripheral interaction. I am referring to John's participation at the Annual Harry Dowling Infectious Diseases Day held at the University of Illinois. At that time (1976 onwards until my move to California in 1986) I was a clinical fellow and subsequently faculty member under George Gee Jackson, MD. John's insightful comments during case presentations & discussions at the Dowling lectures left me with a great admiration for his breadth of knowledge and clinical abilities.
Little did I imagine that many years later I would come to LA and work directly under his leadership at USC. All along during all these years I have felt very fortunate to have been able to greatly benefit from John's guidance and leadership.
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Rodanthi C. Kitridou, MD, FACP, MACR
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USC Keck School of Medicine
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Please accept my heartfelt condolences for your father's untimely passing. I
cannot believe it still. Dr. Leedom was one of the most erudite physicians at
USC and anywhere, that I have had the honor to call a colleague. I always
admired his boundless knowledge and wisdom, his brutal honesty, and his
fantastic, straight-faced sense of humor. Dear Anita and family, I wish you strength and endurance in this awful time. Dr.
John will be missed terribly.
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Beverly Hill Crump
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On behalf of The Lockport Township High School Class of 1951
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It was with shock and sadness that your father's high school classmates received word of his death this past weekend. We extend to you, your mother, and brother our deepest sympathy. We were glad to find that you have provided this memorial website in order that we can join the community of friends and family who celebrate John's remarkable life and grieve his death. The enclosed picture was taken at the 2006 reunion of the Lockport Township High School Class of 1951. We were pleased that John traveled from California to Illinois to join us. We enjoyed not only hearing of his academic successes but also the many personal encounters with individuals whose lives he touched. We take pride in our outstanding classmate. Although we have never had the opportunity to meet John's family, he was proud to share your pictures with us. Please know that we share your grief and will be thinking of you in the coming days.
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Susan Katz
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Trumbull, CT
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Dearest Liane....what beautiful words and photos to celebrate the life of your father....our heartfelt sympathies to you and your mom and your wonderful and fabulous children.
xo
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