Leroy S. Bendheim

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 by	Edward E. Willey L. Douglas Wilder
Succeeded by	Wiley F. Mitchell
Member of the Virginia Senate from the 33rd district
In office January 12, 1966 – January 12, 1972
Preceded by	Edward E. Willey FitzGerald Bemiss
Succeeded by	Charles L. Waddell
Member of the Virginia Senate from the 36th district
In office January 8, 1964 – January 12, 1966
Preceded by	Armistead L. Boothe
Succeeded by	None (district eliminated)
Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia
In office July 1, 1955 – July 1, 1961
Preceded by	Marshall J. Beverley
Succeeded by	Frank E. Mann
Personal details
Born	(1906-02-12)February 12, 1906 Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Died	June 18, 1987(1987-06-18) (aged 81) Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Ethel Colman
Parent	Charles Bendheim (father)
Alma mater	George Washington University
Profession	Attorney

Family and early life

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

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

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

References

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