Richard A. Levin

I knew Dick in graduate school during the contentious year of 1967-8 when Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated and the Vietnam War raged on. He was committed to causes and stood up graciously to those who were in opposition. Just now learning of his death, I am happy to learn that he was blissfully unaware of the circumstances during his last years.

I have very fond memories of Dick Levin from my time working at Oberlin College as the lab manager of the Biology Department from 1979-1983. For some reason today I was thinking about him and wondering if he was still around and out in Washington. I did a google search and found that he had passed away more than 2 years ago. What a wonderful colleague and friend he was to me with a great sense of humor. I will never forget him and the impression he made on my life. I still have such fond...

Dr. Levin was my beloved biology professor and advisor. I owe my career to him. When I was trying to decide about going to medical school with all its work, we had lunch at the Campus restaurant and he said to me, “ You are going to work hard no matter what you do so you might as well do something you love.” And so I took the plunge and I have loved my medical career.

He also very much took me into his family. I loved babysitting his girls- really one of the highlights of my time...

Dick Levin was one of a kind and he changed my life. After taking his microbiology class, I did a year-long honors research project under him in 1992-1993. I have so many wonderful memories of him. He worried about my working at the lab late into the night, so he armed me with mace for my lab coat pocket and ensured I knew how to use it. I recall coming into Kettering to work one evening and hearing from down the hall, Mr. Levin belting out at the top of his lungs, "I will always love...

I had professor Levin for microbiology in 1972, I believe. At one point, he invited the small class to his house for dinner and played guitar for us. It was one of my fondest memories of Oberlin. A great teacher and inspiration.

Addition to my memory ... Excerpts from my letter to Mr. Levin sent February 2019 ...

"This thank you letter has gone too long unwritten, and I hope it finds you enjoying life on your beautiful island. I’m sure you’ve received many such notes from those like me who found inspiration in your teaching and manner – an infectious combination of science, humor, and joy.

For me, the honors research project I performed under your direction at Oberlin ca 1970-71 (focused on...

My sincere condolences to the Levin family. I am a former student of Mr. Levin, dating back to his arrival at Oberlin. I regret not having seen him since, but about a year ago I wrote him a letter, excerpts of which are below, entered as a memory. As can be seen, Mr. Levin had a major influence on the course of my life. May his memory be eternal.

I was so sad to see the news of Professor Levin's passing in an email from Oberlin.

I was a student of his in the mid 80s, which feels like a long time ago. Many of the memories of the courses and professors I took classes with have faded, but he remains a vivid memory for the enthusiasm he brought to his class. The Intro Bio class I took with him was held in a big lecture hall, and yet, I remember a personal connection with him. The obituary rang absolutely true - I remember a...