Gene A. DeLeve

Gene A. DeLeve,82, Lenexa, KS passed away Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at Specialty Hospital of Mid-America. Funeral services will be in the chapel at Kehilath Israel Blue Ridge Cemetery, 1:30pm Friday, December 21. Burial will follow. Kindly omit flowers. The family suggests contributions be made to the Cemetery Fund, care of Kehilath Israel Synagogue, 10501 Conser, Overland Park, KS 66212.
Gene was born on July 21, 1930. He attended the Kansas City, MO public schools and graduated from Central High School in 1947. He attended the University of Kansas City where he graduated with honors as a Victor Wilson Scholar. He thereafter graduated from the University Kansas City School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review and Order of the Coif, again graduating with honors.
He practiced law in Kansas City for more than 50 years as a partner in the law firm Casemore, Berman & DeLeve, which later became Berman, DeLeve, Kuchan & Chapman. He practiced in the area of bankruptcy and commercial law and was a certified specialist in Business Bankruptcy. Gene was a member of the Missouri Bar, the Commercial Law League of America and a past member of the panel of Bankruptcy Trustees for the Western District of Missouri. He was listed in the Best Lawyers in America.
For many years Gene was active in Boy Scouts of America, serving as Scoutmaster of Troop 53 and was a member of The Tribe of Mic-O-Say. He was an active member of Kehilath Israel Synagogue, serving in the past as an officer and member of the Board of Directors. He was chairman of the Kehilath Israel Blue Ridge Cemetery Committee.
Prior to his retirement from the practice of law, Gene served as a mentor for numerous young lawyers, many of whom today are outstanding practitioners and leaders in the legal community. For the many lives he touched, Gene will remain an example of scholarship, hard work, a creative mind and a good friend.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents: Leon and Frances DeLeve; brother: Melvin M. DeLeve.
He is survived by sister-in-law: Marjorie DeLeve; nephew and his wife: Bart and Kathie DeLeve; niece and her husband: Andrea and Mike Schaechter; grand-nephews: Bryan and Nicole DeLeve, Adam and Anna Schaechter, Kevin and Leah DeLeve, Danny Schaechter; many cousins and friends.