Batman impersonator remembered as hero at funeral

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Funeral services were held for Leonard Robinson, a man for years who would visit sick children dressed as Batman to bring joy to kids facing very tough challenges.

Robinson was struck and killed on Interstate 70 in Maryland Sunday night.

Many people turned out to honor the real difference he made by taking on the role of Batman.

"The second kids would see his face, they would absolutely light up," said Steve Custer, a friend of Robinson.

Robinson was every bit a superhero.

"Some people wonder all their life if they made a difference," said another person who attended the service. "Lenny didn't have that problem."

They came to remember the man known as "Route 29 Batman." For years, Robinson dressed as Batman visiting sick children in hospitals. He was struck and killed after the custom-made Batmobile he used broke down.

If you can measure a man's impact based upon how many people show up to honor him, you should also consider this. The Har Sinai Congregation synagogue has seats for nearly 900 people, but many had to stand here in order to honor Robinson.

Much like the self-made Batman himself, friends said his service was a mix of laughter and tears.

But it is parents of the children Robinson visited who say he was able to make their sick kids just be like kids.

While someone else may put on the cape and take up his example, there will never be another hero quite like Robinson.

"It makes you ask yourself to take that challenge that he gave people: 'Are you leaving the world a better place than you found it and he did," said Laurie Strongin, founder of the Hope for Henry Foundation, a non-profit organization Robinson worked with.