Gladys Leviton

Gladys Ann Leviton

Resident of Palo Alto

May 23, 1930 - April 19, 2012

Died April 19, 2012 at Stanford Hospital after a long battle with heart disease. Gladys was born on May 23, 1930 in Wayne, Nebraska, the daughter of Ralph and Agnes Robertson. Gladys' early education was in a one-room school house but in the early 1940s the family moved from their farm to Lincoln, Nebraska, where Gladys attended both elementary and high schools. She entered the University of Nebraska in 1947 and in 1951 received her A.B. degree and teaching credentials in Education, although she did not neglect the sciences while a student. That September she entered Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, to study physical therapy, and while there she met Alan E. Leviton, a graduate student at Stanford. The two were married in mid-1952 and took up residence in Palo Alto, where they were to remain for the next 60 years.

Gladys initially taught physical education but following an extended leave from teaching to raise a family, she reentered the profession, first as a substitute teacher in local school districts and then as a full-time teacher in the Sequoia Union High School District in San Mateo County, California. Gladys, having a solid background in both biology and geology, spent the balance of her teaching career at Woodside High School in the science department. Among her curricular innovations was the addition of a strong component of earth science to her biology curriculum. A talented prose stylist herself, she also liked to work with students to improve their technical writing as an important life skill.

After retiring from teaching in the early 1990s, she developed an interest in family history, conducting genealogical research and assembling an extended family history. Her book, On the Farm, 1862-1940, presents a captivating history of a farming family from the arrival of the first family immigrants in the early 1860s to the departure of her immediate family from the farm in 1940.

Gladys enjoyed her social relations with both family and friends. She especially looked forward to the retired teachers luncheons that she and a number of other colleagues, who had retired at about the same time, held monthly. She had an infectious smile, was soft-spoken, forward-looking, and of good cheer.

Gladys is survived by her husband, daughter Charlotte Erickson, son David Leviton, sister Inez Ruchte, and three grandchildren. We miss her!

A private family memorial service is planned. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gladys to the donor's charity of choice would be appreciated.