Leslie Hartrich Leighninger

Leighninger, Leslie Hartrich died March 3, 2024 of complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. Leighninger was one of the key figures in social work education in the 20th Century. Her work illuminated the historical roots of social work as a profession, helped social workers explore the theories underlying their work, and positioned social workers as political actors in addition to being service providers.

Leighninger was the co-author, with Philip R. Popple, of The Policy-Based Profession, and with Popple and her husband, Robert D. Leighninger, Jr., of Social Work, Social Welfare, and American Society. Now in their 7th and 9th editions, respectively, these two textbooks have formed the backbone of social work education for thousands of students, in hundreds of institutions, over the last several decades.

Leighninger’s scholarship and approach to teaching were rooted in an historical analysis, starting with her first book, Social Work: Search for Identity. Her textbooks outlined liberal, conservative, and radical perspectives on policy questions, allowing readers to decide for themselves how to think about an issue. Her fierce, unflinching intellect was accompanied by a friendly, gentle way of working with students and colleagues. She was named a Social Work Pioneer by the National Association of Social Workers Foundation in 2023.

In addition to her scholarship, Leighninger worked tirelessly to build her field, serving in numerous offices in local, state, and national professional associations, including as Vice President of the Council on Social Work Education.

Leighninger was born February, 25, 1943, to Paul Hartrich and Paulette Kahn Hartrich, in Chicago. She earned a BA in History from Oberlin College, an MSW from Syracuse University, and a DSW from the University of California, Berkeley. She spent her Junior Year at the University of Edinburgh, earning the class medal in Imperial and American History. She was a psychiatric social worker and a community mental health outreach worker before discovering her love for teaching at the State University College of New York at Oswego. After obtaining her doctorate, she served as Baccalaureate Program Director of the School of Social Work at Western Michigan University, Associate Dean at Louisiana State University School of Social Work, and Director of the Arizona State University School of Social Work. She spent a sabbatical year as a visiting scholar at the London School of Economics.

Leslie was other things as well: holder of a private pilot’s license, lover of travel (attending multiple conferences a year with her husband Bob, and visiting family and friends around the world), music (particularly opera and bluegrass), and gardening. She baked delicious pies and was famous for her chicken chopped liver appetizer, but left the rest of the cooking to Bob. She spoke up for her ideals in politics and women’s rights.

She could be funny too, sometimes even silly. She made up words like smorch for impacts and peajazels for pajamas, and called her kids pickles and chilibeans.

Leslie showed incredible bravery in the face of a cruel disease, which gradually stole from her the things she loved most. We will miss her profoundly.

She is survived by her husband Bob, her sister Toni Hartrich, her children Matt and Maggie (Hopkins), five grandsons, a niece, and a nephew.

Contributions in her honor can be made to the Social Work Entering Class of 1951 Endowed Scholarship at Louisiana State University Foundation. This was the first integrated class at the School. To make a gift, please visit giveLSU.org and click into the "Or search for a fund section." This will provide you with the option to check a box indicating that you need to type a note about which fund you are supporting, which is The Social Work Entering Class of 1951 Endowed Scholarship. Contributions may also be made to your chosen charity. A celebration of life will be planned to take place in the Bay Area this summer.