Dear CCA Community,
It is with sadness that I write to share the news of the passing California College of the Arts Trustee Emeritus Leo Helzel. Leo was an exceptional individual -- warm, wise and generous -- who provided insight and leadership during an important phase of CCA history.
Leo served on our board of trustees for a remarkable 17 years, from 1968 to 1985. During that tenure he played a vital role in the development of the board as a robust governing body, working extensively on the board bylaws and cultivating new trustees. When he stepped down from active trustee service, the board unanimously voted to elect Leo to trustee emeritus status which he sustained for 34 years.
It was not enough for Leo to strengthen CCA leadership, he also championed CCA students and helped develop the San Francisco campus. Leo, and his wonderful wife Flo, have supported CCA fine arts students through a series of generous scholarship gifts. They created the Leo & Florence Helzel Endowed Scholarship and later expanded it to honor their son-in-law and current CCA trustee David Kirshman. In addition, they named the Florence and Leo B. Helzel Boardroom on the CCA San Francisco campus.
Leo’s passion for arts education and his thoughtful, stalwart support will impact CCA students for generations to come. Leo was a Trustee for Golden Gate University and the first chair of the Haas School of Business Board of Advisers. Donations in Leo’s memory may be directed to UC Berkeley’s Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life.
Sincerely,
Stephen Beal
Stephen Beal President
