Khensa Karim, executive director of SMACNA-KC, remembers LMC leader Leo Zahner who died recently. Leo was a prominent leader in SMACNA and was a former LMC co-chair, a position Khensa now holds:
Khensa Karim’s words about Leo William Zahner, Jr.
I want to dedicate my section of this Newsletter to the memory of a man who was one of the most considerate and generous individuals I have met in Kansas City, Leo Zahner.
In addition to being one of the greatest leaders in the sheet metal industry, and the one of most giving to the community and people around him, Leo was the first person to stop by the SMACNA-KC office on my first day of work in 2001. Even though he was retired, he took time to give me a personal welcome to Kansas City and the sheet metal industry.
I remember being excited by Leo and J.D. Foster’s visit, and curious as to what they meant when they said, “Khensa, you have a tough group!” I also vividly remember his generosity when I invited him to lunch along with Cal Blaich, Harry Basore, and Bill Simmons. As we started to have our lunch, I made the mistake of commenting that his food looked good. The next thing I knew, he had given me literally half his plate, insisting that I eat it. I learned this was a tradition he passed on to everyone that I’ve met in his family, the same way he taught them leadership and making a positive impression in whatever path they pursue.
From the first day I met him to the last time I had the opportunity to visit with him, Leo’s air was one of grace and command. I am fortunate to have crossed his path, even if for only a few years, and blessed by the kindness his family members show me. I have always admired WHO Leo was as a person and the kind of family he raised. Knowing the tremendous impact he made in the sheet metal industry and reading some of the accomplishment listed in his obituary, I am also fascinated by the legacy he left behind and WHAT he was. In honor of his life, I would like to include part of that article from the Kansas City Star. I would like to express my deepest sympathies to his wife, Katy, and his family in their time of great loss. Leo will be missed by everyone he met.
Leo William Zahner, Jr., 82, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, November 15, 2007.
Leo was instrumental in the advancement of metal as an architectural material across the United States. As the President of the A. Zahner Sheet Metal Company from the time he returned home from WWII until the early 1990s, he displayed a passion for producing the finest quality product available in sheet metal.
· Leo served two terms on the Board of Directors of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Association.
· As Chairman of the National Architectural Sheet Metal Committee, he was instrumental in the creation of the Architectural Sheet Metal Manual, a manual used by craftspeople all over the world.
· Leo served as the President of the Builders Association of Kansas City
· He served two terms as President of the Kansas City Chapter of the Sheet Metal Association.
· Leo was a Trustee on numerous Labor / Management Trusts assisting in the protection and betterment of labor families working in the construction trades.
· In 1989 he was awarded the National Sheet Metal Contractor of the Year.
· In 2000, Leo Zahner received the National AFL-CIO Labor - Management Award.
· Also in 2000, Leo was awarded the Legends Award by the Kansas City Architectural Foundation.
· Leo was a Knight of the Holy Sepulcher.
He loved to golf and played a mean game of gin rummy. He was also a Royal Lancer. He spent many happy years with his family at his home at the Lake of the Ozarks. Leo was much loved by everyone he met and had a generous heart and loving spirit. His favorite saying was "I'm on the right side of the grass." He was a vital part in helping build the Shrine of St. Patrick Church. He was gently and kindly cared for by the wonderful employees of Villa St. Francis and Catholic Communities Hospice.