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Steven Levitin Obituary
Steven Levitin, age 53 of Lakeview, Executive with Riverside Graphics; beloved husband and best friend for 25 years of Kathleen nee Hurley; loving father of Rachel and Hilary; devoted son of Edwin and Marilyn; cherished brother of Michael (Meredith Mendes); dear son-in-law of Irene Koenke; fond brother-in-law of the late Tim Hurley; treasured uncle of Hanna, Franny and Leah. Service Tuesday, 10 a.m. at Anshe Emet Synagogue 3751 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60613. Interment Rosehill Cemetery. Board member of TRIO (Transplant Recipient International Organization) 2100 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Anshe Emet Synagogue, Gift of Hope, 660 N. Industrial Dr., Elmhurst, IL 60126 or TRIO. Info The Goldman Funeral Group, Irwin Goldman Director 847-478-1600.
Memories and Condolences
for Steven Levitin
Sponsored by anonymous.
57 Entries
Peter E Hanff
January 13, 2022
Steven Levitin came to know me through the International Wizard of Oz Club. He was a passionate collector of antiquarian books, particularly the Oz books and other titles by L. Frank Baum. I helped him make a reservation for our West Coast Oz Convention, and he arranged to attend the convention and to play rounds of golf at nearby Pebble Beach. Then, some time later, when I was staying with a friend in Chicago, he invited the two of us to come to the Levitin neighborhood to have dinner with him and his wife, Kathy. We guys met Steve at the restaurant, and when Kathy arrived, I marveled at the radiance of Steve's love for her. After a fine meal, the four of us walked back to the Levitin home so that I could see some of the remarkable treasures, Steven had collected. It was a magical and memorable evening, and I treasure it still.
Peter Hanff
Cindy Ragni
December 27, 2012
I've been meaning to write this for a while. Steven was a very special person, full of enthusiasm for life. He and I shared a love for Oz Oddities—those offbeat Wizard of Oz collectibles that are especially hard to find. We bought and sold from each other on Ebay and finally met at the Winkie convention in 2007. We were both newbies and sat together at the Oz auction, which was the convention highlight for us. The auctions are where I miss him the most, now. He and I would kibitz about the various items—do you have that one?--is that really a first edition?—etc. We wouldn't bid on items the other was interested in, so as not to inflate the price. I remember one especially hotly contested session between Bob Baum and me for some Oz Club Christmas cards. When the price got quite high, too high for some simple cards, Steven stood up, spun around, put his hands on his hips and glared at Bob as if to say “How dare you bid against my friend—WHO do you think you are?” It was all in jest, of course.
We also traded some treasures at those conventions—especially dear to me are a set of Oz valentines I got from Steven in exchange for some Denslow postcards. They were duplicates for him, but I could see they were special to him because of his heart transplant. He also felt a strong connection with the Tin-man, who was given a new heart by the Wizard. Steven's heart was especially generous. If only the Wizard could bring him back to us…but perhaps Ozma used her magic belt to whisk him to Oz, and he is just now in the Emerald City, enjoying one of those amazing banquets, surrounded by his favorite Baum and Thompson characters. He will always be remembered.
kathy santucci guttosch
February 2, 2010
Dear Kathy, Rachel and Hilary,
I'm so terribly sad to hear just now of Steve's passing. I was trying to locate you, and this came up. Even though it's been 20 some years, I will always remember the many kind things you and Steve did to help me settle into Chicago life: rides to work and wonderful home-cooked dinners at your lovely home on Racine. I will always recall Steve's laugh and sense of humor, especially how he'd make me laugh when I was down about work. I could see he was a wonderful father and husband who loved you and your beautiful daughters so deeply. Truly I feel there's little for me to say; I seem unable to find words other than useless platitudes. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing you love and never forgetting the old days together...
January 15, 2010
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Sandy Kofkin
June 10, 2009
I just found out about Steve's death. Although it's been many years since I saw him, I recall our many talks about having a family. We were both going through similar difficulties back in the 80's. He was a genuine person who I am glad to have known. Although you never get over such a loss, I hope in time your pain will be replaced with happy memories.
Gary & Karen Kipnis
April 1, 2009
Dear Kathy and the Levitin Family,
Our heartfelt condolences to you in your loss of Steven. We fondly remember our times with you when we lived in Chicago when we socialized with you and our Cousin Jill White Dworski.
Hilary Levitin
March 12, 2009
Dad,
People have stopped writing here. I miss you with all of my heart. There is a pain inside of me that just will not go away and I will miss you forever. I hope where ever you may be is a place where you no longer feel any pain. The only part that makes me feel a little better is that you are with your one and only dog, Coco. I know she's keeping you safe, and you her.
I love you.
Your Daughter, Hilary
Judy Bieber
February 11, 2009
I just found out about Steven's passing from Jane Albright. I met Steven in 2007 at the Winkie Convention in Pacific Grove, CA. We had the opportunity to converse subsequently at other Oz events, most recently at the Wonderful Weekend of Oz in Fayetteville, NY. I liked him very much. He seemed like a gentle soul with a big heart, dedicated to his family and his diverse interests. We spoke at some length about his daughters last October. He was extremely proud of them. The Oz community will miss Steven very much.
Carrie Hedges
February 5, 2009
Another member of the International Wizard of Oz Club sends her sympathy to the Levitin Family. Although I met Steve at only a few conventions, I was touched by the warmth of his heart and his enthusiasm for all things Oz. He will be missed.
Ian, Eugenia and Eleni Miller
January 29, 2009
Dearest Kathy, Rachel and Hilary,
We were very sad to hear about Steven. We remember him fondly from the wonderful times watching Rachel and Eleni play Softball and Basketball for Latin. He was always warm, engaging and supportive - just a real pleasure to be with! We wish you all the very best during this difficult time. All our love,
Robert and Clare Baum
January 28, 2009
To the Family of Steven Levitin:
Upon Hearing the sad news-
thoughts suddenly swirl
of Steven at Winkies and Fayetteville,
oh so many colorful visions...
it would take a Wizard to sort them all,
or better yet, understand why?
Long discussions on books...
a quiet breakfast between friends
visions of new finds
restoration of old ones
laughter and fun
sharing all that life and Oz have to offer.
My travels down the yellow brick road
made more meaningful with each step
surrounded by friends in common
sharing a great grandparent's vision
now sadly diminished with a passing,
Steven you will be truly missed.
We will all still travel the road,
saddened to be sure, but confident still
the laughter we now hear, so loud and clear
is that of Steven, exploring with Ozsome glee
all the treasures that abound
in that Marvelous City of Green!
Clare and I were just getting to know Steven. We looked forward to each meeting and sharing news about our families and recent events. We thank you for sharing Steven with us and send our deepest condolences for your loss.
Lynn Preis
January 28, 2009
Dear Kathy, Hilary, and Rachel,
I will miss Steve's smile and his sincerity. He was such a supportive parent through the years the girls were in school. It was a pleasure to know him.
Lynn Preis
Daniel Gerdes Christy Webber Landscapes
January 28, 2009
I'm so sorry to hear about Steven. I've worked with him over the past few years and his generosity, humor, and warmth are what I remember most. My prayers are with your family.
Scott Cummings
January 27, 2009
Steven generously shared his joyful passion for books and Oz with members of the Oz Club in recent years. This too-brief friendship was a pleasure and an honor, and he will be missed.
Blair Frodelius
January 26, 2009
I only met Steve once, but he left an indelible impression on me. I wish I had more of an opportunity to know him better. He truly was a man with a big heart.
"Now I know I have a heart, because it's breaking." - Jack Haley
J. L. Bell
January 26, 2009
I had the honor of meeting Steven Levitin only once, in Fayetteville last fall, but I was immediately impressed with his generous personality. I'm sorry that we've lost him so soon, and am sure that he left his family and friends with happy memories to share.
Marcus Mebes
January 26, 2009
I'll miss working with you Steven.
Marcus
Jane Albright
January 26, 2009
Dear Kathy, Another Oz friend here wanting you to know your kind, generous husband was one of the best. I know you'll treasure the memories. Having just known him for two years, my memories are fewer but awfully fond:
We met comparing notes on our Oz treasures and were delighted to find we shared a few that are especially rare. I later wrote asking him to loan a piece of sheet music that I didn't have in my own collection for an exhibit, attaching a digital file of the event flier. He brushed aside the whole sheet music question until I'd first agree to let him personally fund the cost difference to print the flier in color instead of black-and-white.
And the music? He loaned it -- no surprise -- then told me when he handed it to me that he had two and would love to trade for one of my duplicates. I still think I got the better end of that deal.
But he also wrote about you and events he couldn't attend because your anniversary, or the High Holy Days, were more important. He lobbied for all friends Oz to vote for Rachel's song and made it clear to anyone within earshot that he was the luckiest man alive to have the three of you.
We exchanged notes recently when I got a calendar in the mail from Riverside. And last week I stumbled across a little bag of Tin Man charms and thought I should send them to Steven; I realized then that we hadn't spoken since he was hospitalized, but I know he liked to share his honorary Tin Man status with both candor and whimsy. No one around him failed to know how deeply he's appreciated the gift of these last few years.
Reading through these posts, I think we all responded to that humility. Perhaps the Wizard said it best when he told the Tin Man, "A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others."
My prayers are with you and your girls in this time of loss, Jane Albright
Peter Hanff
January 26, 2009
Dear Kathy,
Please know that I share keenly the loss of Steven. I first met him in 2007 when he telephoned to talk to me about the West Coast meeting of the International Wizard of Oz Club. He was extremely excited about joining us, sharing some of his book treasures (and they were truly amazing), and golfing at Pebble Beach.
I was in touch with him frequently in the following months, and had the privilege of getting together with him in Chicago in June of 2008, which is also when he invited me to meet some of his family. His delight in life even with its challenges was inspiring to everyone he encountered.
We were blessed to know him and are saddened that we cannot continue the conversations.
Peter
Susan Berkson
January 24, 2009
My deepest sympathies on the loss of your beloved Steven. May his memory be a blessing.
Helene Siegel
January 23, 2009
To the Levitin Family;
My heartfelt condolences on the loss of Steven. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.
Carole Klein-Alexander
January 22, 2009
Dearest Kathy,
I am deeply saddened to learn of Steve's passing. I will remember his warmth, great sense of humor and his appreciation for a second chance to spend more time with the family he cherished so much. May his memory be for a blessing.
Fondly,
Carole
Pat Weidner
January 21, 2009
The Levitin Family,
Steve was a wonderful inspiration to all of us on Team Illinois. He will be greatly missed. I am sorry for your loss and I will pray for all of us.
Deborah Ross-Greene
January 20, 2009
Kathy,
my prayers are with you and your daughters. Steven was a wonderful person who I and many other transplants will miss.
Patti Greenberg
January 20, 2009
To the Levitin family,
I had the pleasure of meeting Steven a few times over the years at Rita and Morty's for the high holidays, and most recently at Jacob and Max's Bar Mitzvah..A very nice and courageous man with a lovely smile..May G-d comfort all of you and may Steven's memory be a blessing..
Russell, Vivian and Rachel Dash
January 20, 2009
Kathy, Rachel and Hilary,
We've shared a lot of good times with you and Steve. Never once did we ever hear Steve ask "why me"?
He was up and fun and had a great sense of humor and great courage. It has become a tradition for all of us to share holidays together. Sitting by the fire, laughing relaxing, that's what it's all about. We'll make sure that we keep an extra seat, and have an extra glass in memory of our dear friend. He'll be missed.
Bill Haber
January 20, 2009
Ed and Marilyn,
I am very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Bill Haber
January 20, 2009
Kathy, Hilary and Rachel,
We are so sorry for your loss. Steven will be greatly missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ben and Rhonda
Stuart Friedman
January 20, 2009
To the Family of Steven Levitin,
Our deepest, heart-felt sympathies to all of you.
My name is Stuart Friedman and my connection to Steven was 39 years ago. He was the "water-front" director at OSRUI in Oconomowoc, WI, during my tenure as a camper. I re-connected with Steven about two years past via business. We bonded immediately. Upon hearing his journey, I asked him what was different for him today because of his health experience. His response was, "I don't sweat the small stuff any longer..." This succinct and poignant answer is Steven's legacy for my family and me. It had/does have a profound impact on my consciousness every day upon waking from slumber. Steven was and always will be a gift in our lives. His soul does live on...
Carrie Conley
January 20, 2009
To Steven's family,
I am deeply sorry to hear of Steven's passing. We were golf partners at the Louisville Transplant Games, and I last saw him in Pittsburgh. He had such a great smile and enthusiastic attitude, which I will always remember.
January 20, 2009
Dear Kathy, Rachel and Hilary,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you today and in many days to come.
We love you. We loved and will miss Steve.
-Kelly (Hurley), Dennis, Luke and Sam Okland
January 20, 2009
Steven will be missed by all he was a 100% quality guy and I'll remember him most by his big smile. I know his family was incredibly lucky to have such a great influence and he touched the lives of many people for the better.
My dearest respects to the family.
Robert Garson
Oceanside, New York
Nancy, Max, Jacob & Mitch Levitin
January 20, 2009
Kathleen, Rachel, Hillary -
All our love and sympathy is with you. Steven touched our lives and we will always cherish our memories of our times with him.
Mitchell Levitin
January 20, 2009
Kathleen, Rachel, Hilary, Ed and Marilyn -
Steven seized his gift of life and amazed us all with his humor, spirit, and determination. I will miss his calls, his visits, the reports of his golf games, the status of his Oz collection and business, his Transplant Games triumphs, and, of course, his updates regarding Rachel, Hilary, who clearly brought him tremendous joy. Steven and I spent a lot of time together over the years, as kids, as young men, and just recently again. I will cherish those memories forever.
My deepest sympathy is with you all.
Love -
Mitchell
John Centanni
January 19, 2009
Im gonna miss ya Steve.
Although I didn't see you in a loooong time we always had that bond.
Your fellow transplant buddy,
John Centanni
Paul Dombrowski
January 19, 2009
Dear Kathleen, Rachel, Hilary,
You are in my thoughts and prayers every day. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy on the passing of Steven. You (Kathy) and Steven created a beautiful family. Working together with you all these years, I saw first hand that nothing was more important to you (Steven, Kathy) than Rachel and Hilary. Steven and I flew to Atlanta to call on a customer together. After the days work the customer made plans for us to golf the next day at some fancy private golf club. I knew Steven loved golf but he wanted more to get back home to you and said, “No thank you, maybe some other time. I will be flying home to Chicago tonight to play with my girls!” That was Steven Levitin to me.
Your friend,
Paul Dombrowski
Lori Wleklinski
January 19, 2009
My deepest sympathy and prayers to your family during this difficult time.
Sam Wengroff
January 19, 2009
Kathy, Girls:
I'm so sorry for your loss. Steve was a wonderful father & husband. Your old Racine neighbor.
Jim McGowan
January 19, 2009
I am so sorry to hear about Steves passing He will be missed.
Colette Jordan
January 19, 2009
Dearest Kathleen,
My heartfelt condolences on the passing of Steven. I spoke with Steven online several times, though first met him at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 U.S. Transplant Games in Pittsburgh, last July. He was a wonderful man, and a teammate who will be greatly missed. My prayers are with you, your family, and the Jenca's, for their precious gift of life.
Colette Jordan
grateful liver transplant recipient
Team Illinois member
Joe O'Malley
January 19, 2009
I knew Steve through a business networking group. He will be remembered for his positive attitude and friendliness. Always cheerful, Steve appreciated life and took nothing for granted. He will be missed.
Paul Oleff
January 19, 2009
Although it has been quite a while since I last saw Steven; When I found out about his passing, I began to think about Steven as I knew him. As I remember, when
Steven worked for Bentley, Barnes and Lynn, all I remember was a warm, caring, affable, hardworking gentleman. I just wanted to take a moment to express my condolences to the Levitin family. May you find peace and comfort in the many warm memories you have of Steven.
Evelyn & David Kaiser & Family
January 19, 2009
Dear Kathy, Rachel & Hilary:
We extend our heart felt deepest condolences and prayers for you and your family during this very sad time. As I write this, I reflect back and see Steven's smiling face in all the wonderful times we shared cheering our girls on in many occasions together during our wonderful years at Anshe Emet Day School. His will be missed by all who knew him.
Richard Eastline
January 19, 2009
A fond farewell, mixed with feelings of perplexity and sorrow at the too-early passing of Steven. A generous and inquisitive friend, he shared opinions, ideas, and everyday observations with enthusiasm and perception that belied his years. His was a life cut short but nevertheless blessed with the love and admiration of colleagues and family alike.
Joan Parente
January 19, 2009
Kathleen, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult of times. Having lost my husband Amedeo on January 8th, 2009, I profoundly feel for your loss and extend my deepest and sincerest sympathy. May the memories you have of Steve bring you and your loved ones comfort, as he continues to live on in your hearts.
In Deepest Sympathy,
Abby Barin
January 19, 2009
Kathy, Rachel and Hilary -
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. We love you!
Abby & Sandy Barin
Jess Horwitz
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