Donald Leifert

File:DonaldLeifertin2003.jpg

Donald Leifert (1950 – October 23, 2010) was a director, teacher at Towson High School, in the U.S. army during the 1960s, acted in some of the Baltimore-made Don Dohler movies, edited Dohler's fanzine MOVIE CLUB in the 1990s and a FANEX panel perennia. According to Mr. Silver of SF site news, Mr. Leifert appeared in several science fiction and horror films, including Crawler, The Galaxy Invader, Nightbeast, and The Alien Factor. Called Don or Donny by his friends, he was a funny and likable person according to many that knew him. Many also described him as witty and funny.

Early Life

Donald Leifert was born in 1950 in Pikesville, Maryland. He graduated from Perry Hall High School in his hayday. A skilled baseball player, he chose to forego a varsity letter instead following his newfound love of the performming arts. He later attended Towson State University, the London Academy of Dramatic Art, and the University of Baltimore School of Law. As part of his formal theater studies in England, Leifert was required to study ballet, to which he famously quipped "the sight of me in tights was enough for one to lose their lunch."

U.S. Army Service

Donald served in the U.S. army for numerous years, being drafted during the Vietnam War. He went to Vietnam and in hindsight said "I was happy I never killed a man." As the Vietnam War came to close, he finished his tour in Germany. Leifert performed in a travelling acting troupe presented sketches to soldiers warning of the dangers of drug use. Among his colleagues, future Seinfeld star, actor Michael Richards. After this he went to Oxford University and then studied theater in England.

Teaching Career (1970?-2009)

In the 1970s started by teaching at Dundalk High School. Later, he would teach at Catonsville High School and The Carver Center for Arts and Technology. At the end of his career, he taught Towson High School. Donald prided himself on the fact that for most of his recent teaching career, he taught in three different departments in Towson High School: English, Theater and Social Studies:

• Taught English for 30 years
• Taught Theater for 20 years
• Taught Trial Advocacy for 4 years

As a teacher of Theater he directed many plays during his career. In addition, Leifert eagarly shared his love of cinema with his students. In particular, he sought to introduce students to the medium of black and white film. He also maintained a passion for 16mm film. Leifert was known for many practical jokes as a teacher. Some of his antics included taking students out of sight, or behind a partition, and proceeded to make sound effects that would lead one to believe he was savagely beating the student. Other times, he would walk into crowded cafeterias, asking for everyone's attention, and then leave. While administering quizzes and tests, Leifert would provide comic relief to students by snatching a students test, a proceeding to simulate ripping the paper in half.

Recent Teaching Career (2009-2010)

In 2009, Donald stopped teaching Theater because he said he was tired of it. In 2010, he taught Trial Advocacy and more of what he loved to teach, English. Then part way through 1st quarter he took extended leave from Towson High School to have an surgery done to end his back problems.

Du Ex Machina: Donald's sudden death

According to a social studies teacher at Towson High School, on October 23, Donald died of a heart attack. Some believe he died because of blood clot. Numerous students who attended Towson High School have said his death was announced at a football game.

Towson High School Honors Donald's death

After Donald passed away, one student, Elizabeth Nance organized an event to "honor...his life and legacy... he will leave behind [by] wearing yellow. It is a fun and in-your-face color just like he was and always will be." As many as 100 students wore yellow and many facility members did as well. Dr. Jane Barrenger, the head of Towson High School had a moment of silence at the beginning of October 25th, 2010 to honor Donald as a person. Many people were shooken up by Donald's death and cried so much that they had to go to guidance because they were very sad.

Testimonials

Some testimonials from a forum meant to honor his death:

I heard this horrible news from his daughter on Saturday afternoon. He was like a big brother to me. I miss him terribly already. I knew Don for over 20+ years. He was a teacher at the high school I attended. When I was 17 years old, I heard about this English teacher who loved classic horror films. I walked up to him and said, "Hey! I hear you like old movies..." and the rest was history. He was a wonderful friend who gave me many laughs and now, cherished memories. I am definitely all the richer for knowing him. I'm sure he's already talking it up with - Bela, Boris and the gang. Rest in peace, big brother Donny.

I heard this bitter, sad news this morning as I awakened from a night of fitful sleep. Don was a treasured friend of mine for thirty odd (very odd) years. We met, I believe, in 1980 when Don Dohler asked me to record some narration for his new horror film,"Fiend." I was the voice of the radio news announcer on the car radio of the film's hero, as he listens to the reports of some ghastly murders in the small town in which he lives. I began that segment of the news broadcast with the line "And in local news..." Every time I saw Don over the next three decades he would look at me, grin, and exclaim at the top of his voice..."And In Local News." Don was a warm, bright charming, and witty companion. I always looked forward to our get togethers in the days when I traveled more frequently to Baltimore. Both Gary Svehla and George Stover e-mailed me this morning of this horrible, horrible news. Don...You were quite a guy, and a treasured pal. I shall miss you. Rest well, Sweet Prince. - Love Always, Steve

Heard the news today from our pal, George Stover. Don was a nice guy. I had the pleasure of meeting Don back in 1992 when he heard I was a big fan of Alien Factor while working the FANEX Nostalgia Convention. Don was very generous and he gave me a wonderful piece of production art of him in costume from the film. I still have it. I remember being invited to his house in 1995 for a private screening of two old 1940s film noirs. Don loved those old films. Sadly, over the years Don and I fell out of contact with each other. I think the last time I saw Don was in 2004 at Horrorfind. Don was a wild man and could command a room full of people with his stories and personality. Some of the wackiest stories I ever heard came from Don Leifert, stories I will always remember. - You will be missed pal, Gene