Lee Richard Handel, 70, of Pepper Pike, died Aug. 25, 2016.
Lee was born on Nov. 16, 1945 in Baltimore to William and Hortense Handel. The family moved to Cleveland in 1950. Lee graduated from Shaker Heights High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Emory University. He was an Army reservist. Lee worked for Sun Newspapers and was the president of the safety division of EB Brown Optical prior to opening his own business, The Handel Company, in 2003. He retired in 2013. Lee was a member of Suburban Temple-Kol Ami. He was an original member of the American National Standards Institute in the optical section and one of the five founders of InMotion, a wellness community for those with movement disorders. He was a member of Oakwood Club and the Mayfield-Sandridge Club and also served on the boards of Bellefaire JCB and Helen’s Place at Stone Gardens. Lee enjoyed playing baseball, dancing, golfing terribly, learning World War II history and performing amateur stand-up comedy. He was recently honored and roasted at InMotion’s first benefit. Lee always had a joke to tell but took his friendships very seriously. He went out of his way to help anyone.
Lee is survived by his wife, Amy, to whom he was married for almost 45 years; children Jeremy (Lisa) Handel of Shaker Heights and Gretchen Handel of Honolulu; and grandchildren Audrey, Alexander and Violet Handel. He was predeceased by his brother, the late Thomas (The Honorable Deborah Chasanow) Handel.
Services were held at Suburban Temple-Kol Ami on Aug. 28 with interment at Lakeview Cemetery.
Contributions are suggested to InMotion, 4829 Galaxy Parkway, Suite M, Warrensville Heights, OH 44128.
LEE HANDEL was in my first grade class at Lomond School. He is top row far right, I am bottom row far left.
While my relationship with Lee was mainly way back in our Lomond School days, I do have fond memories of a very kind gentle boy, and was saddened by the news of his death.
I was diagnosed with Parkinson's a couple of years ago. On my first visit to InMotion, I noticed a large picture of the founding partners of InMotion. There was Lee Handel. I introduced myself to Amy Handel and shared some fond memories of Lee. His story of living with Parkinson's is inspiring and the dedication to the goal of developing the format for InMotion is remarkable. As we all remember, Lee was a down to earth man, who was kind and easy going. My respect for how Lee lived his life is boundless. What a true giant of a person, Ed Dudley
Arthur M Dittert
Lee Richard Handel, 70, of Pepper Pike, died Aug. 25, 2016.
Lee was born on Nov. 16, 1945 in Baltimore to William and Hortense Handel. The family moved to Cleveland in 1950. Lee graduated from Shaker Heights High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Emory University. He was an Army reservist. Lee worked for Sun Newspapers and was the president of the safety division of EB Brown Optical prior to opening his own business, The Handel Company, in 2003. He retired in 2013. Lee was a member of Suburban Temple-Kol Ami. He was an original member of the American National Standards Institute in the optical section and one of the five founders of InMotion, a wellness community for those with movement disorders. He was a member of Oakwood Club and the Mayfield-Sandridge Club and also served on the boards of Bellefaire JCB and Helen’s Place at Stone Gardens. Lee enjoyed playing baseball, dancing, golfing terribly, learning World War II history and performing amateur stand-up comedy. He was recently honored and roasted at InMotion’s first benefit. Lee always had a joke to tell but took his friendships very seriously. He went out of his way to help anyone.
Lee is survived by his wife, Amy, to whom he was married for almost 45 years; children Jeremy (Lisa) Handel of Shaker Heights and Gretchen Handel of Honolulu; and grandchildren Audrey, Alexander and Violet Handel. He was predeceased by his brother, the late Thomas (The Honorable Deborah Chasanow) Handel.
Services were held at Suburban Temple-Kol Ami on Aug. 28 with interment at Lakeview Cemetery.
Contributions are suggested to InMotion, 4829 Galaxy Parkway, Suite M, Warrensville Heights, OH 44128.
Dana Shepard (Treister)
LEE HANDEL was in my first grade class at Lomond School. He is top row far right, I am bottom row far left.
While my relationship with Lee was mainly way back in our Lomond School days, I do have fond memories of a very kind gentle boy, and was saddened by the news of his death.
DANA
James Reese
Great picture, but too many I can't remember their names. A few I just can't recognize, but I guess you've got the names of everyone.Betsy Dennis (Frank)
Lee lived right around the corner from me. I seem to recall, we would give him a ride home upon occasion.
Dana Shepard (Treister)
Jimmy~
I've commented on our other 1st grade classmates via the Message Forum page, rather than here.
DANA
James Reese
Thanks, Dana. Your pictures with names was most helpful.James Reese
Sorry, they "were" most helpful!Edward B Dudley, III
I was diagnosed with Parkinson's a couple of years ago. On my first visit to InMotion, I noticed a large picture of the founding partners of InMotion. There was Lee Handel. I introduced myself to Amy Handel and shared some fond memories of Lee. His story of living with Parkinson's is inspiring and the dedication to the goal of developing the format for InMotion is remarkable. As we all remember, Lee was a down to earth man, who was kind and easy going. My respect for how Lee lived his life is boundless. What a true giant of a person, Ed Dudley