Leroy S. Bendheim (February 12, 1906 – June 18, 1987) was a two-term mayor of Alexandria, Virginia, and three-term Virginia state senator.[1]

Leroy S. Bendheim
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 30th district
In office
January 12, 1972 – January 14, 1976
Preceded byEdward E. Willey
L. Douglas Wilder
Succeeded byWiley F. Mitchell
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 33rd district
In office
January 12, 1966 – January 12, 1972
Preceded byEdward E. Willey
FitzGerald Bemiss
Succeeded byCharles L. Waddell
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 36th district
In office
January 8, 1964 – January 12, 1966
Preceded byArmistead L. Boothe
Succeeded byNone (district eliminated)
Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia
In office
July 1, 1955 – July 1, 1961
Preceded byMarshall J. Beverley
Succeeded byFrank E. Mann
Personal details
Born(1906-02-12)February 12, 1906
Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
DiedJune 18, 1987(1987-06-18) (aged 81)
Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseEthel Colman
Parent
Alma materGeorge Washington University
ProfessionAttorney

Family and early life edit

Bendheim was born in Alexandria, the son of Charles Bendheim and Elizabeth Schwarz. His father was a member of the Alexandria City Council and a member of the Virginia House of Delegates.[2] He graduated from law school at George Washington University in 1929.

Political career edit

Bendheim served on the Alexandria School Board from 1934 to 1943, and was chairman for five years. Elected to the City Council as a Democrat, he served from 1948 to 1955; he received the most votes for the at-large council and, thus, was vice mayor from 1952 to 1955. In 1955, he was elected Mayor of Alexandria and served two three-year terms as mayor before his defeat in 1961 by fellow Democrat Frank E. Mann.

In 1963, Bendheim was elected to the Virginia Senate, representing Alexandria and served there 12 years. In 1975, he was defeated in a bid for a fourth term by Republican Wiley F. Mitchell. Bendheim never served in elected office again.

Death edit

Bendheim died on June 18, 1987, of cancer at Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia.

References edit

  1. ^ Obituary of Leroy S. Bendheim, Washington Post, June 20, 1987
  2. ^ German and German-Jewish Immigrants[permanent dead link]