(Above) 2023-11-11 Leonard at Menucha

Leonard Dixon Memorial

Leonard Dixon was a very generous man. He always tried to take care of the needs of homeless people. He helped various individuals, including me, when we were in trouble or had needs. He had a non-stop hilarious wit as well.

Albert Palmeter

In December of 2013, long-time Subud member Leonard Dixon, was walking on the street in downtown Portland.  He saw people trying to sleep outside on the sidewalks in sub-freezing weather with no shelter.  It was a life-changing moment for Leonard and he knew that he wanted to help in some way.  Leonard started purchasing vital supplies with his own money and bringing these items to people living in extremely difficult situations in Portland and Vancouver, WA. He made direct deliveries to individuals sleeping on the streets, or to groups gathered under bridges and living in tent cities, as well as people served by various shelters in these cities. Leonard estimated that he directly served 1000 people over the years as he encountered them on the street. He continued to pass out food, jackets, sleeping bags, blankets, tents to the homeless, as well advocating for the homeless with the Portland city government.

Leonard saw a connection between the latihan and his humanitarian work: “Doing the latihan can strip away excess ‘junk’ from one’s being, and also broaden one’s sense of awareness, so that feelings of compassion can develop.” Leonard believed that helping others has definite spiritual rewards, leading to a strengthening of character and a broadening of one’s vision.

From Marilyn Schirk, January 29, 2018, Susila Dharma Interview

I just heard that Leonard Dixon passed from this physical world. This world has lost a great human being who has touched the lives of thousands of people. I first met Leonard when I was 5 years old. He came to Christmas at our house and brought the gift of Donovan for the little ones, which is to this day, one of my favorite collections of songs. Over the years he recorded & shared music with many friends. He seemed to take pleasure in getting to know what music people liked and then introducing them to other artists. During my young life Leonard would pop in and join us for family dinners. He is fondly remembered as my non-blood Uncle Leonard.

When I moved to Portland in 1993, I discovered he was here. He befriended me and made me feel welcome. We shared many Menucha’s together talking late into the night-as we were both night owls, and I would often drive home around 1:00 am. For around ten years Leonard used to come to my house in March and we would celebrate our Birthdays together – both being Pisces. I admired his stories of helping the homeless, and making his presence known in politics. He shared many personalized Birthday cards and messages of love and peace over Facebook and personally with his thousands of friends. He was a great friend and mentor. I was in the hospital with him on 4/14/25 and we walked down memory lane listening to Donovan. I am grateful to have known such an amazing Spirit. God speed as you start your new journey in the afterlife.

Rosetta Koach

Growing up in a Subud family, I first met Leonard in Los Angeles many years ago. Later when I became involved in committee work for Subud, I consulted Leonard for website and tech advice. My friendship with Leonard deepened when I moved to the Portland area 8 years ago. Sometimes I drove him to Latihan and I enjoyed listening to him recall the early days in Subud, visiting with Bapak and Sharif Horthy, I was amazed to learn of his many connections. Leonard taught mathematics at Clark College — he was well regarded by his students and peers especially for his offbeat humor and charm, the same qualities that will be missed by his 1000+ Facebook followers who regularly read his posts.

A bit fragile at the age of 86 and living alone, Leonard managed by his wits and with some help from his friends. Recently, he landed in the hospital after an intestinal blockage. Advanced kidney cancer was discovered; treatment options were poor and he chose to begin hospice. Despite needing strong pain medicine at the end, he retained his clarity of humor. In response to the hospice nurse, he retorted “I am not deluded; now give me my dilaudid”.

Leonard “walked his talk”.  As many know, for years Leonard gathered blankets, pillows, toiletries, and personal necessities from donations, but mostly from his own funds, and distributed them to the homeless in Portland and Vancouver.  He was a dedicated helper and regional helper for many years. Thank you, Leonard for your service – you leave us your example of helping people in need and the memory of your own unforgettable style.

Philip Lindstrom

I will remember Leonard by his insightful, quirky sense of humor. The best example of this was a recent post on his Facebook page entitled “Shift Happens.” A gentleman was standing at an intersection with a scrunched up blue car rapidly approaching him, and an elongated red car speeding away. It took me a moment….

Jim O’Halloran

Leonard was an enthusiastic supporter of arts and culture – I know this because he came to every play that I directed, acted in, or produced. Not only did he support my work in theater, but my entire company of wayward actors as well – where ever and whenever they were performing. When our leading young actress, Katrina Davis, left her life as a performer to become a painter, he attended the opening of her show at a local art gallery.

Once in response to Benedict Herrman’s performance as Orgon in Moliere’s Tartuffe, Leonard remarked how he always wanted to perform onstage, but shied away from it due to his impaired speech. I remarked how he’d be perfect in the role of Lucky in Waiting for Godot – because Lucky spouts a full page of nonsense that any actor with a sense of rhythm could simply make up – stutter be darned! Also, Benedict had expressed a desire to play Vladimir in Waiting for Godot, and the two of them would certainly sport a brilliant connection together. But around that time Benedict moved away from Portland to Sacramento, so the notion of a production of Godot faded away. . .

As others have keenly pointed out, Leonard had a wicked sense of humor and really enjoyed the political jokes and social/celebrity slams prevalent in commedia dell’arte theatre. He knew the genre well and particularly appreciated the fact that when experiencing commedia, he often found himself laughing and crying at the same time – with equal parts of pain and joy.

Keep on laughing and crying with joy, Leonard, where ever your future life may lead you!

Fayra Teeters

(Above) 2020 Leonard Dixon