ITAA Obituaries

Leonhard came into contact with transactional analysis in the 1970s. As a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, he was immediately affected by Berne's new approach. Then head of the famous Lindauer Psychotherapietage (an annual two-week conference for psychotherapists), he used it as a chance to introduce transactional analysis to conference participants with great success.

Together with his wife, Cornelia, Leonhard gave TA 101s, which were always well attended and lasted about a week. They developed many exercises for that purpose, now available as a book for transactional analysts. It is a gift and a fine heritage, which reflects one of Leonhard's outstanding characteristics: He always shared what he knew willingly. In fact, in 2000, Leonhard held a workshop for PTSTAs in which he explicitly handed over this treasure to the new generation of Teaching Members. It was a very touching experience for all who participated.

I do not know how Leonhard would have described himself, but I know how eager he was to participate in scientific discourse right up until shortly before his death. The many articles he wrote were evidence of his alert mind. When one was with him, he immediately started a scientific discussion; he had questions, opinions to be proved, and always listened especially attentively to the other person. The ITAA honored this attitude with the 2002 Eric Berne Memorial Award. His main work was a history of psychotherapy, in which he-in five volumes-described the main psychotherapeutic schools. The fifth volume is dedicated solely to transactional analysis. A recent recognition of this thorough and profound work was the desire of a Slovakian colleague to translate the volume about transactional analysis into Slovakian. In preparation for the translation, Leonhard spent several months revising the book (even though it was exhausting) so that it now reflects the latest state of the art.

When Leonhard realized that he could not manage to work any longer -- to read, to participate in scientific exchange -- he willingly submitted to dying.

Although he was well educated, with a wide range of knowledge, Leonhard often repeated that, when writing, he wanted to write simply so that everybody would be able to understand him-another testimony to his modest character.

Born in 1918 in Zurich, as a young boy Leonhard was already familiar with C. G. Jung and artists like Hans Arp. This made a deep impression on him and helped mold his psychotherapeutic work. His special love was Goethe, whose thoughts and attitudes he identified with in a certain way. He planned to write a Goethe biography that could be understood by everyone, but due to his diminishing abilities, he was never able to fulfill that dream. Thus, it was significant that, as he faced the end, he laid down in his beloved Goethe room.

Leonhard Schlegel was a highly esteemed colleague and mentor, especially because of his uncompromising views.

Those who had the chance to win him as a friend, felt deeply seen and understood without words. He liked to quote the following sentence, which may stand as his life's motto: "Over the door to autonomy is written: 'Abandon all hope!' "

Leonhard Schlegel was an utterly upright man, who lived in the here and now and had learned to give up the comfort of any "tinsel ornament." As a result, he was able to offer great comfort to others.

And on those terms, we say farewell.

This tribute to Leonhard was written byUlrike Müller. She can be reached at ulrikemuellerta@aol.com . Condolences can be sent to Alexander Schlegel at a.schlegel@thurweb.ch .