Leonard Sweet

Leonard Sweet, 101 passed away on September 27, 2026 at Reserve Care Hospice in Euclid, OH. He was born on August 28, 1925 in Akron, Ohio to the late Leo and Sonia (Litwak) Sweet (z”l). He married Ruth (Schwartz) Sweet (z”l) on September 15, 1946. They were happily married for 79 years. His loving family included his wife, 2 children, 4 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. He will not be present for the next generation but expects 16 or more. He was preceded in death by younger brother, Richard Sweet.

Leonard is survived by his children, Marcia (Kevin Murray), Cleveland Hts, OH. Ronald Sweet (Monica Frank) Calais, VT; grandchildren Elana Spieth (Dr. Russell) Cleveland Heights, OH; Erin Zelin (Dr. Steve), Shaker Heights, OH; Sarah Murray (Don) Cleveland, OH, Gabe Sweet, (Kelly) Duluth, MN, Dr. Raffi Sweet (Kate) Ann Arbor, MI, great grandchildren Noah, Sadie, Maya, Mason, Mikayla, Jasper, Iris, Jack,Talia and many close nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Leonard was raised in Akron, Ohio. He and his wife Ruth graduated from West High School in 1943. After high school, he enlisted in the Army Air Force in World War II and served for 3 years, mainly in North Africa. He was discharged in 1946 achieving the rank of Sergeant. He then attended the University Of Akron graduating with a BA in Ed in Mathematics, then Kent State University graduating with an MEd in Mathematics and finally Case-Western Reserve University where he received a Phd in Statistics.

He began work for the Kent Public Schools as a high school mathematics teacher where he taught for four years. He then moved to Akron where he taught in the Akron Public Schools for four years, two years as a mathematics teacher and two years as a Resource Teacher in Mathematics for the Akron System. Then he moved to the University of Akron where he taught for thirty years. He retired in 1987 as Professor Emeritus of Mathematics.

He also served as a consultant during the 1960’s ,1970’s and 1980’s to the Akron Public Schools and many other local educational institutions, industries and hospitals. During this period he received a National Summer Science Foundation Scholarship at Oberlin College, Goodyear Summer Scholarship at University of Wisconsin, and a year long NSF Faculty Fellowship at Case Western Reserve University. He was also employed in the summer by FEC at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA as a statistician. He served on the Audit Committee of The Akron Teachers Credit Union, the Admissions Committee of the Northeastern Ohio Medical School, was a member of Pi Mu Epsilon, Sigma Pi Alpha, Alpha Sigma Lambda, American Men and Women of Science, Greater Akron Math Educators, National Council of Teachers of Math, Ohio Section Math Association, and the American Statistical Association. He was the coauthor of four mathematics textbooks, one of which was with Dr. Sam Selby which had first and second editions and was translated into French and Japanese. After he retired Leonard acted as a consultant for the Akron Jewish Community Federation by creating a computer database to manage the administration of the cemeteries under their control. He served as President of Beth El Congregation, and received a plaque in recognition of his efforts. During the late 80’s he wrote and compiled three Family Books for three different family trees of the ancestors of Leonard and Ruth. Len would like to quote Benjamin Franklin’s saying to his mother “I would rather have it said He lived useful rather than he died rich”.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on October 2, 2026 at Beth El Congregation 750 White Pond Dr. Akron, OH 44320. Burial immediately to follow at 12:30 pm at Rose Hill Cemetery 3653 West Market St. Akron, OH 44333. Shiva will then be held at Beth El Congregation following the burial from 1:15 pm - 3:15 pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Beth El Congregation (Akron, Ohio).

A special thanks to all of Len’s caregivers and friends at Anna Maria of Aurora and Reserve Care Hospice. Your love and devotion to Leonard was greatly cherished by him and his family.