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Remembering a great man and community leader…
A Chicotsky friend, Fort Worth civic leader, business magnate, and commited family man passed away today. Leon Harold Brachman’s career and commitment to community are incredibly inspiring.
My last memory with “Uncle Leon” was a dinner in his beautiful home in Fort Worth. I was joined by his wonderful daughter and close friend, Debby Rice, and my dad. Leon told stories about coming face to face with Francois ’Papa Doc’ Duvalier, Haiti’s former President who survived six assissination attempts. Leon was a skilled pilot and would establish and operate businesses abroad, as was the case in Haiti. Leon’s entrepreneurial and managerial brilliance inspired the entire Fort Worth Jewish community.
He was twice named B’nai B’rith’s Jewish Person of the year, the only person ever accorded that honor. Civic affairs found him as a longtime member, president and chairman of the Baylor All Saints Medical Center Board of Trustees. He received the Texas Health Care Trustee Foundation Award, the highest award given to a Texas hospital trustee for a record of leadership in healthcare government.
Leon’s board memberships also included the Camp Fire Girls Club. Leon and his late wife, Fay, were among the founding members of the Van Cliburn Competition and associated with Casa Manana, the Chamber Music Society and the Fort Worth Symphony. He will be greatly missed by family and many lifelong friends.
Thank you for your insight and friendship, Leon. We’ll miss you dearly and are deeply grateful for so much selfless and valiant leadership.
