Harry Levitt M.D.

October 2, 1914 - May 12, 2013
One of the last survivors of the infamous Bataan Death March died at the age of 98. Harry Levitt, a son of Russian immigrants, was a native Angeleno and grew up in West Los Angeles. A graduate of UCLA and UCSF Medical School he was a frontline surgeon in WW II. Against incredible odds, he survived the Bataan Death March, the Hell Ships and years as a POW in the Philippines and Japan. Amidst starvation, illness, and brutality, he attended to the needs of his fellow comrades. Despite returning from Japan sick and emaciated, he bore no bitterness toward his captors. His nature was positive, his loyalty to his friends and family inextinguishable -- and his childhood habit of humming unremitting. He came home to build a wonderful life. He married happily, had a trio of daughters, became a distinguished and much beloved physician. He was a Chief of Dermatology at Cedars-Sinai and a president of the Los Angeles Dermatological Society. Harry was also an avid Bruin basketball fan, a passionate deep-sea fisherman, and a lifelong bridge player. He lived his life with appreciation and joy. Harry leaves behind his adored wife Barbara, his daughters, Kathy Levitt (John Carnochan), Laurie Levitt (Dr. Andrew Soll), Susan Given (Stewart Given) and granddaughters Sara and Anna Carnochan.
He will be buried with military honors at the VA in a private ceremony. Donations may be made to: American Former POWs, c/o Marilyn Corre 119 S. Mansfield, Los Angeles, CA 90036, or a charity of your choice. We are forever grateful for Harry Levitt, a warm, compassionate, loving and profoundly decent man.