Frederick Jacob Weintraub
August 28, 1942 - May 2, 2014

Frederick Jacob Weintraub, husband, father, grandfather, friend and educational leader, passed away at his home on May 2 after a brief illness. The son of the late Barbara and Israel Weintraub, he was born on August 28, 1942 in NewYork City.

Fred transformed the spectrum of educational opportunities and services for children with exceptionalities in the United States. For over 20 years, he directed state and Federal legislative and judicial advocacy activities for the international Council for Exceptional Children. He is recognized as an author of what is now known as The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal law that guides all U.S. special education practices, and he played a significant role in the design and passage of other landmark legislation that improved education and life opportunities for children and youth with exceptionalities. In 1997, Fred moved to Los Angeles where he was a policy consultant to school districts in California and served as Monitor and Special Advisor to the Superintendent of Schools in San Diego, overseeing the implementation of a corrective action plan requiring extensive improvements in services to students with disabilities. Beginning in 2005, his vision and leadership for improving the education of such students was next demonstrated when he became the Independent Monitor of Los Angeles Unified School Districtâ<80><99>s Modified Consent Decree. The lives of millions of children and youth with disabilities and their families have been improved because of Fredâ<80><99>s diligent efforts and remarkably astute guidance.

Fred lived life to the fullest. He loved and embraced time with his family and friends, visits to farmers market, and quiet time in his garden. Fred was known for his vigorous advocacy and insightful, ever-so candid interactions in the policy arena and highly respected for his integrity and profound dedication to educational equity.

He leaves behind a legacy and example we all will strive to follow. He is survived by his loving wife, Lynne Cook, daughters Marya Long and Heather Moore, sister Norma Meyer, and their families. A memorial service will be held July 18 at the California Yacht Club, 4469 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey. Donations to the Frederick Weintraub Educational Leadership Scholarship at California State University, Northridge can be made to CSUN Foundation, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330.

LATimes, page A 29, May 18, 2015