Leigh David Lipkin

Leigh David Lipkin was born to Albert and Ruth Lipkin April 14, 1946 in Brooklyn, NY. Leigh spent his childhood and young adulthood in Brooklyn, attending Brooklyn College. After attending college, Leigh was drafted into the army during the Vietnam War. He served his commitment overseas in Germany. When he returned home, he was a hippie in the truest sense. He had shoulder length hair and aspired to own a bookstore. This changed when he met his future wife, Harriet. As Harriet would say, “I saw potential.” He thus began a long and successful career in the shoe business. Leigh was a consultant for women’s shoe manufacturing companies. He was considered to be an expert in leather and manufacturing of shoes. His career would take him to the far corners of the world, including Italy, Yugoslavia, Brazil, China and India. Though his work would take him around the world, inarguably the biggest trip he took was across the river to New Jersey where he and Harriet raised their two sons, Michael and Jason. Leigh was an outstanding father who instilled his love for ping pong, skiing, sports teams (especially the NY Giants), music, great food (belly lox and pickled herring) and most importantly family. He was generous and supportive, always there to listen and provide advice. Leigh was also an outstanding cook, and his Sunday night “Shabbas” dinners were legendary but far from kosher. Later in life, Leigh moved down to Chapel Hill, NC, close to his son Michael and his family. In North Carolina, Leigh became an avid card player, and his favorite thing to do was play bridge at the senior center. He also boasted about going to the gym 5 days a week. He continued to be an avid cook, perfecting many recipes. Most importantly, he loved his family, especially his four grandchildren- Jenna, Jack, Reid and Bennett. To them, he was Pop Pop, always quick with an anecdote or a story. He is survived by his ex-wife Harriet, his sons Michael and Jason, his four grandchildren Jenna, Jack, Reid and Bennett, and his father-in-law Seymour. In honor of Leigh’s memory, you may make a donation to the organization Jewish for Good, Durham/Chapel Hill Chapter of Jewish Federation https://www.jewishforgood.org/donate

Leigh David Lipkin

April 14, 1946 - July 27, 2026