Heikki Leesment papers

Leesment, Heikki (also Leesment, Heiki Aleksander)22.09.1914 Viljandi, Estonia – 01.02.2005 Toronto, CanadaArchitect. 1922 – 1930 studied in Tallinn French Lyceum (Tallinna Prantsuse Lütseum) in Estonia , 1930 – 1933 Vändra Gymnasium (Vändra Gümnaasium) in Estonia, 1935 – 1940 studied law in the University of Tartu. Member of advocacy. Active member of student council in University of Tartu. Worked as a secretary in the Actual History Committee (Aktuaalse Ajaloo Komitee) Southern Estonia department in Tartu. Also worked as an official in a court in Tartu, in the medical department of University of Tartu, 1941-1943 worked as a secretary in Tartu municipal government, 1943-1944 attorney-at-law's assistant. One of the organizers of Tartu Home Guard. 1944-1950 lived in Sweden, in 1945 worked as a historical records cataloger in Stockholm Archives. 1946 – 1950 draftsman in Vattenfall Styrelse , 1946 began studying architecture. 1950-1993 lived in USA. 1950-1971 worked in many architecture bureaus in New York. 1950-1953 draftsman in Otis Elevator Co, project manager in Eggers and Higgins. 1971-1992 worked as a designer and construction supervisor in the Veterans Government in Washington, D.C, specialized in hospital construction. Retired in 1992. Has worked for the information agency „American Voice“. From 1993 lived in Canada. Active member of society. Editorial member in newspaper „Välis Eesti“ in Sweden, founding member and chairman of the Joint Baltic American National Committee (Ühendatud Balti-Ameerika Komitee) in USA. Representative of the Baltic Freedom Union, chairman of the Estonian American National Council (Eesti Rahvuskomitee Ühendriikides) for 8 years, chairman of the Estonian National Council (Eesti Rahvusnõukogu) in Sweden. Chairman and board member of New York Estonian Boy and Girl Scout Society, member of the Estonian Theatre in New York, sang in the Academic Male Chorus in Estonia. Also sang in the Stockholm Male Chorus and New York Estonian Male Chorus, organized an European tour for the latter in 1961. Member of the St. Andrew's Evangelical Lutheran Estonian Congregation in Toronto, Canada. Academically, was a member of fraternity Rotalia (korp! Rotalia) from 1935, has been the fraternity's chariman and honorary member, was awarded with the Rotalia honorary ribbon. Heiki Leesment was very active and visible in N.Y. and Washington, D.C. representing the cultural life of the immigrant community of Estonian Americans, ties with the leaders of other like communities, especially in the Baltic countries.1st wife: Helvi (nee Kullam), married 1941Daughter: Hele-KristinSons: Hendrik (born 1942, doctor), Heikki (lawyer)2nd wife: Ive (nee Patrason) married 1972 Awards:German Army Cross of Merit, 2nd classOak Star (Tammetäht), 2nd class, for work in the Scout organizationGolden merit of honor from the New York Estonian Boy ans Girl Scout SocietyRepublic of Estonia, Order of the White Star, 4th class 1999 Bibliography:Akadeemiline Meeskoor Euroopas : Eesti laul Ameerikasse / Ed.: Richard Ritsing, Juhan Arike, Emil Eerme. Tartu : [Akadeemiline Meeskoor], 1939 (Tartu : K. Mattiesen)About Heiki Leesment:Heikki A. Leesment 50-a. // Meie Kodu (Sydney, Australia), 1964, 1. Oct., nr. 40, p. 1Heikki A. Leesment 50-aastane. // Eesti Hääl (London, Inglismaa), 1964, 25. Sept., nr. 896, p. 3.Simonson, Juhan. Heikki Leesment : Eesti Rahvuskomitee Ühendriikides endine esimees in memoriam. // Vaba Eesti Sõna (New York, USA), 2005, 15. Feb., nr. 7, p. 3.Toomes, T. In memoriam Heikki A. Leesment. // Eesti Elu (Toronto, Kanada), 2005, 24. March, nr. 12, p. 15 : photo.