Steven Lefkovits - In Memoriam

I received some sad and shocking news today. Steven Lefkovits, a client, who had become a friend, died suddenly this morning.

Even though Steve's life was one of unspeakable hardships, he always kept his, well, smart-ass sense of humor. It was probably that sense of humor that kept him going.

Steve was born in Hungary, to a family that was reasonably well-to-do, and involved in the Horse-trade. When the German army invaded Hungary, Steven was rounded up and sent to a concentration camp. Having survived, he made his way to America, married and had a family.

I didn't know him then. I only met Steve a few years ago. He was on his second marriage, and was faced with the daunting prospect of investing a large medical malpractice award received by his second wife, Laura, who had been on the unfortunate end of an incompetent emergency room physician.

Steve's devotion to Laura and to his daughter, Ariella, was complete and unquestionable. He spent more energy caring for his wife and daughter than most people half his age could spend on almost anything. He swore that, as long as he lived, he would take care of Laura. And he did.

The fact that things never seemed to come easily to Steve probably had something to do with his personality, which could be, well, ornery at times. And that's putting it mildly. But Steve always said, "Hell, I survived Hitler, I can take anything they have to give me".

My relationship with Steven started as a business relationship, but quickly grew to be one of personal friendship. I felt about Steven as I did about any Holocaust survivor--he was a treasure. And he was; but Steven also had a certain strength that seemed to radiate confidence--even, or maybe especially, when he was wrong. Just thinking about that makes me smile.

As I think about Steve's death, I think about the victory of dying in his own house surrounded by people who cared for him, rather than in one of Hitler's death camps. If I knew Steve, his final thought must have been something like, "I won".

I'll miss you Steve. Well done.