Dr. Leffler gifts treasured book to grad who gave up new car

COEUR d’ALENE — Dr. Norman Leffler has had his hardback, original copy of “The Fate of Man” edited by Crane Brinton, since 1961.

It was a gift from Father John Keeley, a man Leffler operated on in France. Later, the men went out for dinner and discussed, among other things, religion.

“He gave me this book at the time, knowing I was Jewish. He wasn’t trying to convert or anything,” Leffler said. “He said, ‘You’re going to appreciate this book.’”

Leffler did.

He read it several times over the past 59 years and such was the wisdom within, he wanted to give it to someone special.

That someone was Brian Hansen.

The Post Falls High School 2020 graduate recently gained national attention when he gave up the key after winning a 2019 Chevrolet Trax at Knudtsen Chevrolet in Post Falls. Another graduate, Amy Palmer of Timberlake High School, actually had the winning key, but failed to turn the door handle to open it. When the five seniors returned all the keys to a basket and each drew one to try again to win the prize offer by Knudtsen Chevrolet, Hansen won.

But he didn’t keep the SUV, opting to give it to Palmer, saying it was rightfully hers.

Leffler was impressed — and moved.

“It isn’t a matter of money for this young man,” he said. “With all this negativity going on in the world, it’s nice to see. Most young men wouldn’t do it.”

Leffler said the rare book could be worth in the range of $1,000, but it’s the lessons inside, from the likes of Aristotle and St. Augustine and Greek philosophers, that he wanted to share.

“It was written by outstanding people,” he said.

He believes the words could be unifying in a time when the focus is on division and race.

“All human life matters. As a doctor, I say this,” Leffler said. “Maybe the Beatles had it right when they said all we need is love.”

Hansen, who will leave later this year on a two-year mission trip to Argentina with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said he appreciated the gift.

He has recently spent time with Leffler and learned about his lengthy military and medical career. He also heard the story of how Leffler came to own a copy of “The Fate of Man.”

“The fact he wanted to give it to me means a lot to me,” Hansen said.

Leffler said it was a kidney operation he performed on Keeley when he was stationed at Torrejon Air Base in Spain. He was chief of urology at the time.

He said he always treasured “The Fate of Man.”

He lost track of Keeley and holds out hope to connect with him.

“This was the time of the Cold War and Vietnam,” he said. “We had bombers loaded with atom bombs ready to go attack Russia.”

Leffler, 91, who lives in Kootenai County, said he just wants to help young people.

“Before I die I want to influence this young man,” he said. “If I can influence him in his life and whatever he’s going to do, that’s what I want.”

Hansen, he said, “is a fine young man.

“I hope it makes a difference in his life,” Leffler said.