Ronald Leifer

Dr. Ronald Leifer, 84, of Richford, passed away at his home on July 28, 2017. Dr. Leifer is survived by his loving wife and companion of 55 years, Betty C. Leifer; his daughter Lehana L. Doctor, her husband Leroy and their daughters Abria, Autumn and Mandisa Doctor all of Rochester. Also surviving are his sister, Prof. Gloria L. Hartson, brother and sister-in-law Morton and Felice Leifer, several nieces and nephews. Dr. Leifer received his BS at Queens College and his MD at Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, where he completed his residency in psychiatry under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Szasz and later received his Masters Degree in Philosophy. He also completed a mixed internship in medicine and psychiatry at Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester. Ron was a former student and teacher at Namgyal Monastery, Ithaca; a member of the visiting faculty of the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies and is the founder of The Ithaca Dharma Society. For more than 40 years, Dr. Leifer championed Szaszs antiestablishment views on mental illness, liberty and responsibility in his private practice as a psychiatrist, in his writing and teaching and in his psychiatric testimonies. He also lectured widely on Buddhism, psychiatry, psychotherapy, published more than 50 articles on a vast variety of psychiatric issues and authored numerous books. A Memorial service will be held at a later date to be announced. MacPherson Funeral Home, Newark Valley is assisting the family. Condolences and memories may be written in Dr. Leifers guestbook at macphersonfh.com