Leonard Krasner passed away from a heart attack on November 28, 2007 in Reno, NV at age 82.
Leonard Krasner received his Ph.D. in psychology from Columbia University. In a career that spanned more than 50 years, he did much to advance the cause of behavioral therapy and was widely regarded as the intellectual founder of behavior modification. He started the first U.S. clinical psychology training program focused on behavior therapy at Stony Brook in the 1960s. In partnership with many other colleagues, he authored major textbooks on clinical psychology from a behavioral perspective.

Born in NYC to Helen and Samuel Krasner on December 17th, 1924, he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, professor, author and friend. Married to Miriam Krasner (who died in 2002) for almost 55 years, they were role models of a loving, lifelong partnership. Leonard’s survivors include his four children Wendy, David, Charlie and Stefanie, five grandchildren Robin, Michelle, Zachary, Henry and Harry, and scores of loving friends. A Leonard Krasner Memorial Award has been arranged through the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, formerly known as the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy. Donations to this award fund should be made out to ABCT and sent to The Leonard Krasner Memorial Award, ABCT, 305 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001.

Reprinted from the New York Times, November 16, 2007