Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Robert Levitin Obituary
Robert J. "Bob" Levitin died peacefully on 2/8/2020, surrounded by his loved ones. Bob was born on 3/24/1930 in Seattle to Irving and Pearl Levitin.
He was a graduate of Seattle's Franklin HS and earned a Bachelor's degree from the Univ of WA. In 1971, Bob obtained his Master's in Poli Sci at UNLV. He served in the US Air Force from 1951-1955. He taught history/geography and poli sci at Bellevue HS, Newport HS (7 years and was voted "Teacher-of-the-Year") and taught for 16 years at Interlake HS. During his tenure in the Bellevue School District, Bob coached baseball and served as an assistant football coach at both Newport and Interlake - fondly known as the "Silver Fox", he led the Interlake Saints to their first-ever State Championship in 1986, and the WSBCA named him "Coach of the Year".
Following retirement in 1988, he was an inaugural member of the WA Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. Bob then became a volunteer baseball coach for Interlake HS, and at Skyline HS for several years. He was very active in planning Franklin HS reunions, and enjoyed traveling to sunnier climates in wintertime.
Throughout his career, Bob also worked at Longacres/Emerald Downs racetracks, where he was honored for his outstanding performance and longevity. He was a longtime season ticket-holder for Husky football, Mariners and Seahawks games; and went to countless HS baseball games as both a scout and fan.
After 32 years in Bellevue, Bob and wife Joan relocated to West Seattle, marveling daily at their amazing view of the Downtown waterfront and cultivating a whole new circle of friends.
Bob was most proud of his close-knit family, and was a loving father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Joan of 63 years, son Scott (wife Beth), his two daughters Dena and Laura (husband David), his two grandchildren Rachel and Graham, and his surrogate son Greg. He gained loving in-laws Rose and Maury, and treasured sister-in-law Marsha (husband Mitch and nieces, Mika & Kaila).
We will miss his generosity and presence in our lives. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bob's name to either "Coaching Boys into Men" (www.coachescorner.org), or Medic One (www.mediconefoundation.org). Celebration of Life TBD.
Please sign Bob's online Guestbook at www.Legacy.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Levitin
Sponsored by The Family.
Laura Levitin-Wilson
May 21, 2023
Please join us for a
Celebration of Life for Bob Levitin
on Saturday, August 26, 2023
2:00pm
at Bellevue College,
3000 Landerholm Circle SE,
Building "U"-208 & 209
Bellevue, WA 98007
PLEASE RSVP to
Laura Levitin-Wilson,
[email protected]
Eileen Tenn
June 23, 2021
Time goes by and yet, of course, my cousin, Bob, continues being a presence in my life, as surely he does in the lives of many others. His engaging personality, outstanding character..I can easily picture discussing politics with Bob, and a variety of other topics as well. He both expressed himself well, and listened effectively. I miss my cousin and yet he remains close.
Mario Lanza
March 19, 2021
My name is Mario Lanza and I run a website called The Interlake High School Memorial Wall. And I recently put together an entry about Mr. Levitin made up of dozens of tributes and comments from his former students. If you'd like to see it, you can view his page here: https://ihsmemorial.org/staff/robert-levitin/
Hope the family is doing well. It's amazing how many students over the years were inspired by your dad. Coach Bob was my baseball coach back in 1989, and I never forgot him.
Laura Levitin-Wilson
February 5, 2021
Dear family and friends,
2/5/2021
I still cherish and appreciate all your sharing of kind thoughts and memories of my dad. Really means a lot to our family, and I know how much dad would appreciate being honored.
fyi, we are still planning to schedule a belated Memorial Service for dad, but we are needing to wait until the Covid situation eases up.
Thank you,
Laura Levitin-Wilson
February 5, 2021
My condolences to the family . May you find comfort in your treasured memories and Gods promise to return our loved ones . 1st Thessalonians 4 : 13 & 14 .
HELEN WEDEL DUSEK
January 31, 2021
Dear family of Bob
i was one of Bob's students at Newport HS [tho we never called him anything but MR. Levitin in those days!]. He was THE best teacher, making both history and current events come alive. And we all loved his assignment of reading Time or Newsweek cover to cover every week, lol!! Many of his teachings stayed w/ me thruout life, esp while traveling around the world as a flt attendant. His world view gave me a deeper understanding of life in other lands/cultures.
At one point just after his retirement i called to thank him for the huge impact he made on my life. We had quite a talk!
Over the past several weeks he's been in my dreams, so i decided to google him, see if i could reconnect. i found this obituary instead.
So, i write to you, his family to share memories and offer my heart felt condolences. 90 is a proud age to achieve, but it's never long enuf when you must say good bye to a Beloved one. Am sure you've heard many stories about Mr. Levitin's impact on his students and athletes. He's a remarkable human being and i thank him for all the Gifts of his living.
Helen Wedel Dusek, NHS '66
[ps i was pep club pres and the moving force behind his TEACHER OF THE YEAR award.]
Frances Davis
December 13, 2020
Bob was one of the kindest people I had the pleasure of knowing. Joan you are a gem of a lady. I pray that God will bring continue to bring comfort to you and the family.
Your friend in Tacoma, Fran ( Robin’s co-worker.)
Terry & Kathy Agnew
July 24, 2020
We are so sad to hear of Bob’s passing. He was our teacher and Terry’s coach. We always enjoyed his annual, handwritten Christmas notes. So very thoughtful, he was like family and we are sorry we had not seen him in the last couple of years. He was a special person and we loved him. Terry & Kathy Agnew
Shane Elliott
July 17, 2020
Bob was my grandfathers best friend so I was introduced that way. My favorite memory was when I was coaching HS baseball and Bob came to a game. He brought cookies for my team to enjoy. I missed his e mails talking about the HS baseball world In WA. Bob was so warm and caring. He will be missed.
Greg Bolian
May 15, 2020
Greg Bolian
May 15, 2020
Greg Bolian
May 15, 2020
Greg Bolian
May 15, 2020
Greg Bolian
May 15, 2020
Greg Bolian
May 15, 2020
Greg Bolian
May 15, 2020
Greg Bolian
May 15, 2020
Eileen Tenn
May 14, 2020
Eileen Tenn
May 14, 2020
My cousin Bob has been in my life for all of my life. That's bound to have been influential. How fortunate then that Bob, with good cause, was so widely liked and admired. He was a man gifted with a winsome personality, a person of high character. People seemed to be naturally drawn to Bob; he was friendly and outgoing. He had a variety of interests. Sports, teaching, coaching, current events, history, politics come readily to mind. Beginning with his family, a true source of pride and joy, Bob was interested in others too. And we others found him to be genuine, principled, hardworking, trustworthy, kind and considerate and so much more.
Like many others, I miss Bob. How could I not. We're surely positively affected by his being part of our lives. And so I feel he's still in my lifeI feel fortunate and grateful.
Bob at 10 months old. A photo most of Bob's friends will not have seen!
Jacqueline Levitin-Wilson
May 7, 2020
Bob with Betty, Eileen and Joe September 1998
Jacqueline Levitin-Wilson
May 7, 2020
I remember him in uniform. I was 3 at the time. I only told him last year that I remember that his uniform scared me!
Jacqueline Levitin-Wilson
May 7, 2020
Eric Bonanno
April 29, 2020
My family attended many M's games with my father in law, Bob Spring, and Bob. It was always great to talk baseball with Bob. He was such a nice, kind man who will be missed.
Shannon Hummel
April 23, 2020
Growing up, I remember he always had time for me and my brothers. He helped me celebrate my 50th birthday. I wish I could tell him that I am now a para educator for the same school district he worked for for so many years, BSD405.
Son-in-law David, Rach, Laura, Joan, Dena and Glen, the generous host /owner at The Great American celebrating Bob's 89th Birthday
Dena Levitin
April 21, 2020
Dena, Bob, Laura, and granddaughter Rach
Dena Levitin
April 21, 2020
Joan, Bob and Dena
Dena Levitin
April 21, 2020
Bob and Joan
Dena Levitin
April 21, 2020
Bob and daughter Dena at a Mariners baseball game
Dena Levitin
April 21, 2020
Don & Diane Hummel
April 21, 2020
Bob - a dear friend to many
Bob, US Air Force
Laura Levitin-Wilson
April 21, 2020
Laura Levitin-Wilson
April 21, 2020
I'm really appreciating these special sharing of memories, honoring my dad. Means so much
Greg Bolian
April 21, 2020
P.S. I'll miss looking at maps with you and all of your shortcuts.
Hal Ueland
April 20, 2020
Bob Levitin affected lives. Every class, every team, every day. I'm sooo sooo glad our paths crossed. I learned facts (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania!), I learned reasons (The Zimmerman telegram!), I learned tactics (You can run when you want to, Hal but do NOT make the third out at third!), but most of all I learned from him how to be bright and gracious at the same time. 45 years later, despite your best efforts, I'm still trying to integrate those two, Mr. L. Maybe when next we meet, you can show me again?
Thanks for everything!
April 20, 2020
I had the great pleasure of having Bob Levitin as my history teacher at Interlake High School and kept in touch with he and Joan in more recent years. I learned so much from him I took history classes five of my six semesters at Interlake, from 1973-76. He was the best teacher I had in high school, and arguably ever. He made all of his students learn things such as where are Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, countries that were little known during the cold war but with his heritage he made sure his students didn't forget. A great man, one who lived up to the saying that "teachers change the world, one child at a time." He did just that and will be greatly missed by many.
Craig Ueland, Interlake High School, Class of '76
Bob & family, 2018
Laura Levitin-Wilson
April 20, 2020
Bob & Joan, 50th anniv, Cannon Beach
Laura Levitin-Wilson
April 20, 2020
Bob, Laura, Rachel
Laura Levitin-Wilson
April 20, 2020
Bob, Laura, David
Laura Levitin-Wilson
April 20, 2020
Bob, Joan, &Rachel
Laura Levitin-Wilson
April 20, 2020
Bob, Greg, Laura, at Husky game
Laura Levitin-Wilson
April 20, 2020
Bob & grandkids
Laura Levitin-Wilson
April 20, 2020
Bob & Laura, Alki
Laura Levitin-Wilson
April 20, 2020
Jack Ginsberg
April 20, 2020
I consider myself so fortunate to have known for so many years this wonderful teacher and extraordinary gentleman. He will be sorely missed by all who had the good fortune to have known him.
Lowell and Patty Warren
April 20, 2020
Bob, your life and positive contributions to this world are a legacy to your many friends and family members. Your recent medical challenges and your persistence in continuing to participate in a life worth living was an inspiration to all. RIP and loving sympathy to those who shared your busy, influential life.
Sheela Tejcek
April 20, 2020
I am glad I had the honor of knowing this man. So sweet and always made me feel welcome. You will be missed! Rest In Peace.
Reese and Joanne Sheely
April 19, 2020
Bob, your big heart and calm demeanor engulfed those who shared your life on earth, and I'm sure that you have been welcomed with open arms at St Peter's gate. Save a seat for us at the stadium - - we'll all be along soon.
Nina DeBoer
April 19, 2020
We are so sorry for your loss. He will be remembered always in your hearts.
Marty Cohen
April 19, 2020
Cousin Bob, as we called him, was my Dads cousin and he would come visit us every year when he would come to the Bay Area for football when the Huskies played either Stanford or Bezerkley. We loved his visits and when i would travel to Seattle i always called him for a visit. He showed me all over the Seattle area and the Ballard Locks. Thanks Bob for keeping the family close!Marty
gary groenen
April 19, 2020
Bob was one of the finest men I know! He was a great friend and i always enjoyed it when my teams at Juanita Highschool played Bob's teams. He was a class coach and individual. My wife Roxetta and I will miss you very much. Rest in peace.
Janelle Cornelison
April 19, 2020
I remember the last time the Chalupa Girls got to visit Bob. He held court for us ladies at the condo with the fantastic view. It was so good to see him. He will be missed. Hugs to you all.
Sue McBride
April 19, 2020
I always enjoyed your friendship and support. You will be missed by so many friends and family. Heaven gained a new coach. Play ball.
Shoshanna Tenn
April 19, 2020
Cousin Bob visited us in California many summers, always bringing candy, a firm handshake, and a warm smile. He was also a generous host to me whenever I was in the Seattle area, taking me to clam chowder or fish and chips. He was a generous, charming, old-school stand-up man ... always proud to talk about his children and show pictures of his grandkids. I loved the affection he showed for his sports teams and his city, and his passion for history. He will be deeply missed.
Jim and Betsey Gault
April 19, 2020
Such fond memories over the years.....Harbor Park Board meetings with Bob. Boat rides with Bob. Baseball games with Bob. Birthdays with Bob. Brunch at Saltys with Bob. We enjoyed our relationship with Bob, Joan, and family as residents of Harbor Park in West Seattle. We share the sorrow of Bob's passing and the light he brought to our lives. With much love, Jim and Betsey Gault
Ruth Whitfeldt
April 19, 2020
So sadden to hear that we lost another awesome, absolutely fabulous friend. We knew Bob for 28 years and what a friend he was. We were lucky enough to travel with him in a group to Australia in 1998. What a great time we had. He was always fascinating to listen to and learn from. My heart is broken for this wonderful family. Bob, you will forever be in our hearts, dear friend. Rest in eternal peace.
Always with love, ♥
Ruth and Russ Whitfeldt
Dave and Irene Seattle
April 19, 2020
Bob and Joan were the very first people who welcomed us at Harbor Park when we moved there in 2012. We lived across the "street", hall, from one another.
We shared many lovely conversations and some special times together especially when we went to Greenlake and enjoyed food together at Teddy's Bigger Burgers, east of Greenlake. Both Joan and Bob were pleasant neighbors, fun to be with, interested in other people, always, and a blessing to the Gehring Gang. Love, Dave and Irene
Laura Levitin-Wilson
April 19, 2020
I feel so incredibly blessed to have such a wonderful dad. He has been so loving, devoted, generous, and supportive. He has been a loving, devoted grandpa, dad, friend. I admire and am inspired by my dad's devotion to friends, and kindness, warmth and generosity he shared with everyone. I am so fortunate to have been so close with him, and am so grateful that he was my kids' grandpa.
Dad, I love you and miss you every day.
Love, Laura
April 19, 2020
My condolences goes out to the entire Levitin Family.
May your memories of Bob be comforting to you. A loving family man and an effective teacher and coach.
Al Cohen
Olympia, WA
Thanksgiving 2019
Greg Bolian
April 19, 2020
I love you Bob. You were my chosen second father. I'll miss our road trips and your fatherly advice. Rest in peace
Showing 1 - 60 of 60 results
Make a Donation
in Robert Levitin's name
Memorial Events
for Robert Levitin
How to support Robert's loved ones
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 more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
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 moreWays to honor Robert Levitin'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 more
