Leonard Bloksberg Remembered
A professor at the Boston University School of Social Work for 38 years, Dr. Leonard M. “Lenny” Bloksberg’s impact will be long lasting. He will be remembered for his commitment to social welfare policy, believing that social workers should be trained not merely to implement such policy, but to understand the process of policy formation.
Dr. Bloksberg, 81, passed away on February 13 at his Florida home. A memorial service was held on February 20, 2011 in Lake Worth, Florida and an additional service is scheduled for late June in New Hampshire.
“Lenny was a fine man and a strong voice for social justice and for social policies,” School of Social Work Dean Gail Steketee said. “When he was here at the School of Social Work, he always kept us on track, to remember our roots and our goals. As an emeriti faculty member, his intellect and humor came through in gatherings with friends and colleagues. It was my great pleasure to know him, and he will be sorely missed.”
Dr. Bloksberg joined the School of Social Work in 1962 and was tenured in 1969. He was appointed faculty emeritus upon his retirement in 2000.
With a focus on social welfare policy, he attacked the problems of poverty, dealing with child welfare, social welfare, and family services. He was appointed to the Massachusetts Commission on Mental Health by Gov. Michael Dukakis in 1988, and was awarded the Beverly Ross Fliegel Award for Social Policy and Change by the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Social Work in 1995. Upon his retirement, he founded the Newbury Democratic Town Committee, taking great pride in the organization’s accomplishments and their political candidates.
“One of Lenny’s great qualities was that he always wanted to know what you thought about something,” Professor and Social Welfare Policy Chair Robert Hudson said. “He was endlessly inquisitive, had a very lively mind, and loved to debate important issues of the day. He was at once both generous and ornery, and it’s that combination that we loved so much about him.”
Dr. Bloksberg was born March 24, 1929 in New York City, and grew up in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School and City College of New York, and received his master’s in social work from Columbia University and doctoral degree from the Heller School at Brandeis University.
Dr. Bloksberg was pre-deceased by his daughter Robin Bloksberg, and is survived by his wife, Nancy R. Stone, his daughters Fran Bloksberg and Susan Shillue and her partner Peter Kenney, son-in-law Robert Della Valle, sister Renee Adler, brother-in-law Marvin Adler, brother-in-law David Stone, five grandchildren and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
Donations in his name may be made to the Boston University School of Social Work, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, Mass 02215, or to local food pantries and hospice services of the donor’s choice.
– Jason L. London