Add a Memory
Make a Donation
Milton Levine Obituary
His son, Steven, tells the Los Angeles Times that Levine died of natural causes on Jan. 16 at an assisted-care facility in Thousand Oaks.
Uncle Milton's Ant Farm has sold more than 20 million copies but it sprang from humble origins. Levine told the Times in 2002 that he got the idea while watching ants during a Fourth of July picnic in 1956.
He and his brother-in-law came up with a transparent habitat that allowed people to see ants digging tunnels. The ants were sent by mail.
Uncle Milton Industries went on to become a multimillion-dollar company, and Levine sometimes joked that the ants' most amazing feat was putting his three children through college.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
35 Entries
Steph (Papke) Childs
July 7, 2015
Milton Levine was my employer for a while in the 1980s. I remember him fondly as a kind and wonderful man, and my prayers are with the Levine family.
April 30, 2014
An inspiration to never give up! In Love and Light!
Stan Feingold
February 3, 2011
To the Levine Family,
My condolences on your loss. Milton was a great man, he lived an amazing life and he made the world a better place. It was a privilege to have known Milton and I know you are all very proud of him.
January 31, 2011
I am sorry for your great loss. There is indescribable pain experienced when losing a loved one in death. God promises, "He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning, nor outcry, nor pain be anymore, The former things have passed away." Imagine living forever without the fear of getting sick or dying.
How you can show support
Brandi B.
January 29, 2011
(Proverbs 6:6-11) . . .Go to the ant, you lazy one; see its ways and become wise. 7 Although it has no commander, officer or ruler, 8 it prepares its food even in the summer; it has gathered its food supplies even in the harvest. 9 How long, you lazy one, will you keep lying down? When will you rise up from your sleep? 10 A little more sleep, a little more slumbering, a little more folding of the hands in lying down, 11 and your poverty will certainly come just like some rover, and your want like an armed man.
Just as Solomon realized the value and work ethic of the ant, so did Mr. Levine. Mr. Levine wanted others to see what him and Solomon saw in the ant. Through his invention many people were able to see how the ant " prepares its food even in the summer; it has gathered its food supplies even in the harvest." His contribution to the world is something that many people, young ones esp., will cherish.
To his family and friends, our condolences are with you and may your 'hope be in God.' (Ps. 146:5, 9)
January 28, 2011
To the family of Milton Levine. May the God of comfort grant you peace at during this difficult time. 2Co.1:3
Shay Robins
January 28, 2011
Levine Family:
Proverbs tells us, “Go to the ant, you lazy one; see its ways and become wise.”
Milton did that and we all learned many things. Take heart, God knows and cares about your loss.
Gerry Guthrie
January 28, 2011
How many hours did I spend as a child planted in front of my ant farm. Small things big memories.
Eraina
January 27, 2011
Many blessings to the family of Milton Levine... Uncle Milton has inspired so many...my grandson, Drew, loves his ant farm! In this technologically driven world, the ant farm remains a lovely testament to our earthly roots and the pleasures of the natural world. A wonderful legacy! Thank you.
January 27, 2011
To the Levine Family, Sorry to hear of the passing of Milton. I quess farming ran in the family, from ant farms to dairy farms. I remember as a child playing with all the toys and ant farms that Joe and Milton brought to the farm and I had an endless supply of ants that I would gather from the fields. Cousin Ken Rosen Sharon Pennsylvania
January 27, 2011
As a child I always wanted an ant farm. What a unique hobby that was. May condolences to the loss of a great inventor. May the God of comfort be with you. 2Cor. 1:3&4.
steele
January 27, 2011
I have always loved the ant farm and never knew who invented the ant farm, but always found it to be wonderful to watch. The family and friends have my deepest symphaty. Mr Levine is in the memory of our great creator. God says one day we will be able to look at all the animals. Rest in peace.
Dale Spokes
January 27, 2011
His ant farm gave me some of the most enjoyable moments in my life. It taught me concentration and the power of team work. I'm very sorry for your loss. I often tell people how important that ant farm was to my childhood and the person I have become.
Maizie Bell
January 27, 2011
I too enjoyed watching the ants with my children back in the 1960. It was a great educational tool. Thank you for sharing with the world!!!! God will be pleased that you took care of His ants. Rest in PEACE.
R Golay
January 26, 2011
To the the family of Milton Levine - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that Milton will be missed by many.
Sheryl R. Lamb-Davis
January 26, 2011
God bless you and your family. I enjoyed the ant farm. I remember bringing one home from school for a couple of weeks and watching the ants with my brother Eric (now deceased) digging their tunnels. Thanks for allowing me to have that memory. Rest in peace Mr. Levine.
m b
January 26, 2011
What a brilliant but simple man. The ant farm shows that Mr. Milton appreciate God creation and that his Ants are industrious and how we can take a lesson in being productive. At this time may you throw all your burden on Him and He will sustain you, because He comfort us in all our tribulations.
Y.A.
January 26, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Gregory Wulff
January 26, 2011
I always wondered what happened to our Ant Farm that was a Christmas gift back about 1960. It made for some great fun to see those little ants tunnel their way through the sand. My hope is that nowadays kids can enjoy this also but I have my doubts as computers and video games seem to reign supreme. Thanks Uncle Milton for your wonderful creation that will live in my memory until I pass on. My thoughts and prayers are with the Levine family at this time.
January 26, 2011
God Bless the family of Milton the ant farm is so cool I remember it as a kid and bought one for my kids too.You are in my prayers.He lived a long and happy life.Debbie in Louisville ky.
Eusebius Kellawoldolciewicz
January 26, 2011
Hey, Uncle Milton; Thank you very much for bringing one of the most valuable creatures to teach about LIFE. The lowly ANT. By showing us how the ant goes about day after day being industrious and provide not only for itself, but for the community The ant learned early on in its life what it needed to do and did it. It remained faithful and in the end, became a part of the greater Being. May Uncle Milt's conclusion of life, be a beginning of meeting with his ground og breing. Memory Eternal!
Ron Flejszon
January 26, 2011
Rest in peace
January 26, 2011
God Bless and thanks for many fun hours of watching the ants
Jon Anderson
January 26, 2011
I remember as a youngster selling flower seeds as a fundraiser for my Cub Scouts and one of the rewards was an Ant Farm. I worked hard to sell enough to get one! and vividly remember how thrilled I was when it came in the mail and how much fun I had with it.
SCOTT CHAMBERLAND
January 26, 2011
REST IN PEACE
Dianne McDowell
January 26, 2011
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.One of my fondest memories is having one of his ant farms.
karen mayer
January 26, 2011
the best, this is one of those things that is perfect and precious in it's rite. what an amazing idea and experience to so so so many. thank you Mr. Levine
Denise Martin
January 26, 2011
Dear Family of Mr. Levine,
I always loved the Ant Farm; particularly the plastic silhouette. As an adult I used fire ants in one to show people how that species looked without risking being bitten. Thanks, Mr. Levine, for your wonderful invention. Warmly, Denise Martin Sarasota, Florida
Tina Vestal
January 26, 2011
What a joy the Ant Farm was to millions of children. God bless you Mr. Levine.
Dodd Harris
January 26, 2011
I just plain liked Milton. He was a real character: No apologies, no doubts. He walked the walk as well as talking the talk. He took care of his family. I enjoyed his company and was glad to have known him.
Mauricette, Ellen, Steve, Harriet and the Grand kids please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of a real Patriarch.
A Salesman's Salesman.
Dodd Harris
January 26, 2011
steve glick
January 25, 2011
my deepest condolences are with you at this time......i love telling my kids that Uncle Milton was my Uncle and that his idea for the ant farm was based on my grandfathers farm....they love that story and i cherish my moments with Uncle Milt
paula glick
January 24, 2011
my thoughts are with you...he left me with many good memories growing up...with love, paula
Helene Bartels
January 18, 2011
Many lives were touched by Milton and our community is a better place because Milton Levine was part of it. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of an amazing man who built so much for his family and offered employment to so many people over the years.
Claude schneider
January 18, 2011
UNCLE Milton was my REAL UNCLE, as I am one of his nieces from France and I already miss him. I remember him with fondness, for his generosity when he took me to Las Vegas and generously gave me some money to gamble or took us all to his favourite deli, for his sense of humour, for his funny moustache which impressed me when I was a kid.
We are thinking of all of you and especially of Aunt Mauricette at this sad time and send you again our deepest sympathy and offer you our most sincere condolences on behalf of the French family.
Claude Schneider
Showing 1 - 35 of 35 results
Make a Donation
in Milton Levine's name
How to support Milton's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Milton Levine's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read moreMore ways to support the family
Visit the Sympathy Shop
Sponsored