Leonard Diamond Ph. D., who had been a longtime resident of Camarillo, died December 14, 2008 in Carlsbad, California.

Len was born on June 12, 1937 in New York City where he grew up. He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science in 1954, and from Hobart College in 1958. He received his PhD in psychology from Catholic University of America in 1966. He served in the U.S. Army for 1961 to 1966, doing much of his psychology training at Letterman and Walter Reed hospitals.

Len moved to Camarillo with his wife and daughter in 1966 to work as a psychologist at Camarillo State Hospital. He started his private practice as a psychotherapist and gradually decreased his hours at the hospital as his practice grew. He continued to supervise the psychology interns at the hospital, a job he loved, for several years until he no longer could fit this into his schedule. By the 1990's Len's practice was increasingly focused on forensic work, principally custody evaluations. Len very much enjoyed working with many attorneys here in Ventura County.

Len served on the School Board of the Pleasant Valley School District for three terms, a job he took very seriously and enjoyed immensely. After moving to San Diego County, Len continued to work as a forensic psychologist in Ventura County, giving it up completely as his health declined.

Len is survived by his daughters, Juliet Chan of San Diego and Jennifer Diamond (husband Dr. Jieshi Yan) of Moorpark, and by his grandson, Connor Chan of San Diego. He is also survived by his two ex-wives, Penny Diamond of Camarillo and Sandra Dickerson of Carlsbad , California.

A memorial gathering in Len's honor will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 2:00p.m. at the Peking Inn, 330 N. Lantana St. in Camarillo. If you knew Len as a patient, a colleague or a friend, please join us as we remember him and celebrate his life.