rsl_fans | RSL's Dad (Reply)

Something a bit different from reading reviews. I found this piece about Pascack Valley High School 40th year reunion with a bit about what became of former teachers including Roberts dad Robert Leonard.
Under the cut...
Robert Leonard

Mr. Leonard was born in 1932 and was the long time Spanish teacher at PV and was the head of the foreign language department when we were there. He retired in August of 1992. I believe he was fluent in several languages. He tried to make the class fun and he tried to instill in us a his- tory of where we were from. One day he asked each of us our last names and told us where our family likely was from, either overseas or in this country. I did not understand how he could do that but now that I am a genealogist, I get it and do it a bit my- self, especially with this area's names. I'd love to have a conversation about it now. I also recall him, as well as other teachers, playing in the faculty /student basketball games. If I am not mistaken, was there not a donkey-basketball game? I seem to remember him especially, on a donkey. Quite the sight. But maybe I am mistaken. I also recall how he had a good sense of humor and used it to tease certain students, particularly Mary Riley. Mary says she believes the teasing stemmed from the fact that Mary's Godmother and Mr. Leonard knew each other and she believes Mr. Leonard knew her connection to his friend. Mary did not know it until sometime later. Thus, Mary believes he tried extra hard to get her to learn Spanish but, as Mary joked, all she remembers is, "me llamo es Mary". She also recalled how he would rant about the evils of tobacco, due to the death of a beloved aunt from smo- king. Of course he was right to do so and hopefully kept some of us from doing so. I think Mr. Leonard also coached tennis but I could be wrong about that. Mr. Leonard lived in Ridgewood while teaching and in retirement, split his time between there and Sea Isle City, NJ where his wife was from. Later in life, he moved to Waldwick, NJ where he lives today at age 83. His wife passed away in 2014 at age 73. He has three children and some grandchildren and an interesting note to add is that his son, Robert Lawrence Leonard, is an actor and many of you will know him from his role as Dr. James Wilson on "House M.D." from 2004 to 2012. He was also Neil Perry in the film "Dead Poet's Society" and has been in many other films, TV shows and Broadway plays since 1986. I wonder if he knows Spanish? Knowing Mr. Leonard, his kids probably spoke Spanish before they spoke English.

An update on February 1, 2016. Mr. Leonard's son was written about in the Record on Sunday, January 31 and in the article it stated his father was still substitute teaching at age 84.
http://www.pvhs75.com/whatever-became-of-teachers-edition/

Added reviews here despite opening comment still turning up

http://dctheatrescene.com/2016/02/13/prodigal-son-review
http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/theater/prodigal-son-review-timoth%C3%A9e-chalamet-ignites-shanley-play-1.11462652
http://dougmarino.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/prodigal-son.html
http://news.independence-card.com/prodigal-son-theater-review/