David Leanse, a Malibu resident for 35 years, died June 25 in Santa Monica at age 82.
Leanse was born to Robert and Rose (Wasserman) Leanse in Minneapolis, Minn. in 1929. In 1937, the family moved to Los Angeles, where David was raised near Wilshire’s “Miracle Mile.” He graduated from Los Angeles High, where he was in the glee club. He was an avid camper and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
Leanse graduated from UCLA with a degree in political science in 1950, and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1954. He served as a Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Air Force while stationed in Greenland shortly after the Korean War, ultimately earning the rank of captain. In 1973, Leanse opened a law office in Malibu. Along with other local attorneys, Leanse founded the Malibu Bar Association with its Latin motto, “Justicia Proxima Mar”, Justice by the Sea, in 1976.
In 1984, he founded his own real estate agency, “Leanse Realty”, and was also a member of the Malibu Board of Realtors. In 1990, he joined with fellow longtime Malibu attorney and friend, Paul Shoop, to create “Malibu’s Largest Law Firm,” Shoop and Leanse. Leanse finished his career as a broker from 2003 to 2007 at Prudential Malibu Realty.
Leanse had a lifelong attraction to Malibu, having taken dates to Point Dume during his college years, and he always aspired to live and work in the “Bu.” He had an encyclopedic knowledge of Malibu’s geography-beach by beach, canyon by canyon. His strong connection to the land was matched by his equally strong rapport with the people he knew and saw in Malibu day after day and year after year.
Leanse considered himself an environmentalist and hoped to preserve Malibu’s natural beauty for all to enjoy. He advocated public beach access, and educated his friends and family how to access and enjoy all of Malibu’s beaches.
Leanse is survived by his son Tim Leanse, his younger sister Jane Werner, his sister-in-law Joyce Leanse, five nephews, a niece and 11 great-nephews and nieces.
An event celebrating his life will take place Tuesday Aug. 16th at 10 a.m. at Villa Graziadio at Pepperdine University, 24255 PCH. All are welcome.