Leo L. Block Papers

Collection

Identifier: M342

Staff Only

Abstract

Leopold "Leo" Louis Block (November 25, 1914 - August 31, 2009) was a native of Denver, Colorado, born to parents Lily (Silver) and Morris Herz Block. He attended East High School, and earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Denver June 5, 1935. He worked in the insurance industry before serving in the Army during World War II, and then joined his cousin Edward Block in a wine bottling business in San Antonio, Texas where the two formed Block Distributing Company. Leo Block endowed a $1,000,000 professorship at the University of Denver, September 14, 1987. In 1992, the DU Alumni Association honored Leo Block with the Evans Award, and in 1996 the Leo Block Alumni Center was dedicated. Leo Block also established a scholarship fund at the University of Texas at San Antonio. The collection consists of photos, certificates, and papers relating to the life of Leo L. Block.

Dates

1930 - 2005
Majority of material found in 1930 - 1935

Creator

Simmons, Betty Jane Block (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Leopold "Leo" Louis Block (November 25, 1914 - August 31, 2009) was a native of Denver, Colorado, born to parents Lily (Silver) and Morris Herz Block. He attended East High School, and earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Denver June 5, 1935 where he served as editor of the student newspaper. After working briefly in the insurance industry, he served in the United States Army in Italy during World War II. Following the war, he joined his cousin Edward Block in a wine bottling business in San Antonio, Texas. The two formed Block Distributing Company, which became the largest wine and liquor-distributing outlet in south Texas (now Republic National Distributing). A generous philanthropist, Leo Block endowed a $1,000,000 professorship at the University of Denver, September 14, 1987. This professorship has been filed by such luminaries as former Colorado Governor Richard D. Lamm, social scientist Charles Murray, composer David Amram, and poet Susan Howe. In 1992, the DU Alumni Association honored Leo Block with the Evans Award, and in 1996 the Leo Block Alumni Center was dedicated. Amoung his other charitable donations is a scholarship fund at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He was a passionate collector of art, accomplished bowler, and world traveler.