Donald M. Leith ’57
Mac died Jan. 30, 2010.He was born in Cambridge, Mass., and attended the Landon School in Bethesda, Md. At Princeton, he majored in history and joined Cap and Gown. He was a member of the varsity soccer and tennis teams and was active in the Chapel Choir and the Christian Science Organization. Senior year he roomed with Charley Brodhead, Murray Cion, and others in 412 Cuyler.
After graduating, Mac taught at International College in Beirut, Lebanon, served six months in the Army, and obtained a Ph.D. in education from Union Institute in 1975.
In 1976, he began working at Washington (D.C.) International School, where he became dean of independent studies. His job was to secure educational opportunities for inner-city students. He also taught at an area prison.
Subsequently, Mac took voice lessons, which broadened to a love of singing and acting. He sang in five opera choruses. He credits his wife, Lucia, with the support that made all this possible. Active in his church, he sang solos there as well.
Mac especially loved Lucia and often stated how wonderful and fulfilling their life was together. To Lucia, the class extends its sincerest condolences.
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Sprague Theobald
1 Year AgoA Wonderful Man
I had the rare privilege of being one of Mr. Leith’s students in 1965 when I was in the 7th grade. I was a horrible student as I was an undiagnosed dyslexic. Due to my learning challenges I’m afraid that I was also a horrible child! Yet Mr. Leith never, ever gave up on me. I wish I could say that I was open to his encouragement and support but at that tender age I simply wasn’t capable of being open. It was only in my adult years that I came to understand what an exceptional and caring individual Mr. Leith truly was. As I made my way through life I thought about his efforts and great support often. The timing in these matters is never perfect but I’ve come to realize how blessed I was to have this man in my life if not for just a few years. My only hope is that he truly felt how valued he was by all those he did his very best to work with!