Leon E. Bloch, Jr. Obituary (1921 - 2012)

Leon E. Bloch, Jr., an attorney, died on November 6, 2012, at age 91. Leon had lifelong ties to Kansas City. He grew up in a loving family in midtown with his parents, Hortense and Leon Bloch Sr., and his two younger brothers, Henry and Richard. After graduating from Southwest High School, Leon received both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Missouri. A gifted orator in law school, he became known as “Senator” to his close friends and family, a nickname that stuck throughout his long life. A veteran of World War II, Leon served as a sergeant from 1942 to 1946 in the 1520th Air Transport Command in Hawaii and then in Guam, where he won a Bronze Star. While stationed in Guam, Leon, Henry, and Richard wrote lengthy letters to each other about the prospect of starting a business together after the War. Their mother had long encouraged her three sons to go into business together. Then in 1947, Leon quit law school to launch United Business Company with Henry. But shortly after the founding of their fledgling enterprise, which aimed to serve the bookkeeping needs of the smallest of small business, Leon decided to finish law school and become a lawyer. Richard later teamed with Henry in building a stable foundation for United Business Company, which in 1955 was transformed and renamed H&R Block. For many years, Leon provided legal services to the thriving tax preparation firm. Leon is survived by his brother Henry and seven nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 8, at the New Reform Temple, 7100 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64114. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the New Reform Temple.