Virginia Beach—Judge Leonard Bertram Sachs, “Bert”, 92, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 7, 2022.
He was a beloved, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend. He is predeceased by his beloved wife, Sarita R. Sachs, and survived by his three loving children, Jeffry A. Sachs (Lynn Sachs) of Virginia Beach, Jacquelyn S. Furman (Howard Furman) of Needham, Massachusetts, and Amy Sachs (Bruce Kershner) of Gaithersburg, Maryland. He is also survived by his seven beloved grandchildren, Shira Furman (fiancee Michael Lasky), Danielle Smoot (Dr. David Smoot), Micaela Furman, Sara Sachs, Rachel Sachs, Zoe Kershner and Max Kershner (fiancee Stephanie Norman). He was blessed with one great granddaughter, Sadie Brooke Smoot, as well as many loving nephews, nieces, cousins, and many dear friends and colleagues. Bert was predeceased by his sister, Leah Belle Gardner, and his brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Gardner, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Cecelia and Gilbert Higger, and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Rose and Chiam Wrobel.
Judge Sachs was born in DeLand, Florida to the late Benjamin Sachs and Sara Weiss Sachs. He was raised in Lexington, Va., as his family moved there when he was less than a year old where he attended the Lexington Public School System. Judge Sachs attended the University of Virginia but resigned from his studies in December 1950 to enlist in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for four years, including one year in Korea. In 1955, he returned to UVA to attend The University Law School. Upon finishing his studies in January 1959, Judge Sachs served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Judge Walter Hoffman, the U.S. District Judge in Norfolk, during the implementation of the U.S. Supreme Court mandate to end racial segregation in the local school system. After serving as Law Clerk, Judge Sachs went into private practice until 1980, during which time he represented clients in various types of litigation, including civil and voting rights cases. Judge Sachs was elected Judge of the General District Court of the City of Norfolk in 1980, and in 1985 he was appointed to the Circuit Court of the City of Norfolk until he retired in June 1994. He was known as “the peoples’ judge” and he prided himself on upholding the integrity of the law while treating all people fairly. He lived proudly by the mantra “Justice, Justice You Shall Pursue.”
More than anything, he loved spending time with his beloved wife Sarita Sachs, their children, and their entire families whether they were visiting in Norfolk, Florida, or traveling to see them. Bert had many passions including, but not limited to, traveling, art, history, photography, birds, music, and reading. He was a longtime congregant of Temple Israel in Norfolk and he was very involved in the Anti Defamation League, as well as many other organizations. May his memory be a blessing to all that loved him.
He lived his final years at Beth Sholom Terrace in Virginia Beach, where he was lovingly cared for by all. His family is eternally grateful to the devoted staff at The Terrace.
A funeral service was held graveside at Forest Lawn Cemetery with Rabbi Michael Panitz officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Israel, Beth Sholom Village, and The Anti Defamation League.
H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com.