Lasting Memories

Leonard Myron Salle
1937-May 5, 2006
Ladera, California

Leonard Myron Salle of Ladera, who with his wife founded the progressive think tank, the Commonweal Institute, died unexpectedly May 5 — 10 days shy of his 70th birthday — after undergoing coronary bypass surgery.

Born and raised in Detroit, Mr. Salle graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in civil engineering. He moved to San Mateo in 1960, and worked in management for engineering design and construction firms.

He was working in the Environmental Resources Agency of Santa Clara County when he retired in 2000. While employed by the county, he was also president of the Santa Clara County Engineers and Architects Association, and was the primary organizer of the County Employee Labor Alliance. Mr. Salle was a fellow in the American Society of Civil Engineers and a charter member of the Association of Environmental Professionals in California.

After he retired, Mr. Salle and his wife, Dr. Katherine Forrest, established the Commonweal Institute in hopes of providing a counterpoint to the powerful and influential voices of well-funded conservative think tanks in the country, such as the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute.

Mr. Salle served as the Commonweal Institute's president. The ideals of the institute reflected those of Mr. Salle, according to family members. They include a commitment to future generations, environmental protection, a balance between business and the whole of society, separation of church and state, personal choice and privacy.

Family members say he will be fondly remembered for his sense of justice, ethics and responsibility toward his community, irreverent sense of humor, skill as a classical pianist, and devotion to family.

In addition to his wife, Katherine, Mr. Salle is survived by his sons, William F. Salle and Stephen K. Salle; stepsons Eric John Finseth and Ian Frederick Finseth; his brother and sister-in-law Donald and Adele Salle; and six grandchildren.