Leon's father, Wolf (nee Vladimir, Zev), was born in Chisināu, Bessarabia. He served as Vice- President of the Jewish Community and was instrumental in the pur- chase of the Jewish Community Center, a great proponent of local Jewish education (Jewish Day School Dr. Max Nordau), and a powerful orator on behalf of Jewish cau ses, Zionism, and the modern State of Israel. He was also a leader of the Committee of Friends ofthe Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He finished his agronomical studies at the University ofBuenos Aires and his Doctorate at the National University of Cuyo in Mendoza, Argentina. He became widely recognized as one of the top soil scientists in the world, particularly in the field of arid soils under irrigation. His contributions, to agronomy in general and soil science in particular, are many. According to colleagues and peers, his research has been original, inventive and of practical and immediate application. As an agronomist, he rose to the Presidency of the Center of Agronomical Engineers of Mendoza, Argentina. His academic career led him to a full university professorship, research institute directorship, and membership in international and national organizations. He is a member of the National Academy of Agronomy and Veterinarian Medicine of Argentina, the Research Council (CONICET), and has orga- nized, presided, and participated in several Argentine congresses of soil science as well as their Latin American andInternational counterparts.