Leon Ravinowich

Leon Ravinowich, 92, of Poltava, Ukraine, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Abilene, Texas passed away on July 31, 2014 in Abilene, Texas. Leon went to be with the Lord on Thursday the 31st of July 2014. A Reception will be held at the Abilene Country Club on Sunday August 2nd 2014 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Leon was born May 16, 1922 to Jefin Ravinowich and Maria Ravinowich in Poltava, Ukraine. His family escaped the Ukraine ahead of the Bolshevik purge in 1922. Making their way through Poland and finally to Marseille France, they travelled by ship to Mexico where they waited as displaced persons for 11 years in Tijuana to immigrate to the United States legally. After waiting 11 years to immigrate to the US, with no permission in sight, his father, a professor of music in the Ukraine, was offered the position of Conductor of the Sao Paulo Philharmonic in Sao Paulo Brazil. Leon worked his way through college and graduated with a BS in engineering from the University of Sao Paulo. A talented athlete, he was a star player on the Brazil championship basketball team. After graduation, he was hired by the Allis Chalmers Company, and transferred to Milwaukee Wisconsin. During his tenure in Milwaukee he met the love of his life, and life partner Dorothea “Dottie” Gruening. They married on April 14th, 1951 and immediately moved to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Leon enjoyed a varied and successful career in Brazil as one of the chief executives of Ford Motor Company Brazil, President of Brown and Root Construction Brazil, and several other executive positions. They moved to Abilene, Texas in 2004 following the move of their daughter Cynthia Ravinowich Taliaferro that same year. One of his proudest moments was becoming an American Citizen in 2006, remarking to his family “4th country 2nd citizenship”. He loved America and being a citizen of the country he tried so hard to be a part of 73 years earlier. Most of all he enjoyed being with his family and friends, all of whom will miss him very much. His optimism was infectious, and he enjoyed life to the fullest. Leon is survived by his three children, Eric Victor Ravinowich and wife Rosa Lellis Vieira Ravinowich, of Cary, North Carolina, Deborah Ravinowich Kline and husband Dr. Philip Sherwood Kline of San Antonio, Texas and Cynthia Ravinowich Taliaferro and her husband Scott Leeth Taliaferro, Jr. of Abilene, Texas; six grandchildren, Andre Lellis Vieira Ravinowich of Los Angeles, California, Victor Lellis Vieira Ravinowich and wife Tasha Ravinowich of Portland, Oregon, Andrea Elizabeth Kline and Eric Sherwood Kline of San Antonio, Texas, Nicholas Ravinowich Tebet and Julie Elizabeth Ravinowich Tebet of Abilene, Texas, and one great grand daughter Margaret Elise Ravinowich. He will be greatly missed by us all. Memorials may be given to City Light Community Ministries of Abilene or The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest.