Gary Moskowitz
BURBANK -- Les Abramson loved the game of backgammon. He'd wake up
early before work and play the game online against players all over the
world. He even taught most of his students how to play.
Abramson, 52 and a former math teacher at Luther Burbank Middle School
and John Burroughs High School, died Sunday of lung cancer. About 300
people attended a memorial service for him Wednesday in Simi Valley.
Mike Krose, an algebra and geometry teacher at Burroughs High, often
met with Abramson during lunch for quick games when the two taught at
Luther Burbank Middle School.
"He would keep running statistics on our games and keep me updated. We
must have played thousands and thousands of games," Krose said.
Abramson taught at Luther Burbank Middle School from 1975 to 1984. He taught advanced placement calculus, pre-calculus and algebra and
sponsored a backgammon club at Burroughs from 1984 to 2001.
Abramson tried to help students learn life lessons and always made
himself available to his students, Krose said. He was particularly fond
of his three West Highland Terriers, Star Trek, Steven King novels and
the music of John Lennon.
"He was so excited about math and he made classes fun. He had students
recite chants or formulas in class so they would remember them," Krose
said.
Former student Michael Tseng, 19, flew from Philadelphia to attend
Abramson's service Wednesday and read a eulogy.
"He is definitely one of my best friends. I learned a lot more than
just math from him," Tseng said. "I would skip other classes to come to
his class. His lectures were so detailed, amazing and entertaining."
Burroughs principal Emilio Urioste said he will remember Abramson for
his confidence in the ability of his students.
"As a teacher, he had a nurturing way about him. He believed that
under his care, his students could learn," Urioste said. "His
instructional time was sacred to him."
When he started feeling ill a year ago, Abramson said he needed time
off to rest, but it was important that he finish one last test. The day
after that, he wanted to just experience the joy of his students, Urioste
said.
Abramson is survived by his wife, Elaine, two sisters, a brother and
many nieces and nephews.
