Bernard Alan Levy

Bernard Levy passed away peacefully in his home in Alexandria, Virginia July 28, 2024. An educator and learner until the very end, Bernie thrived on the discussion of ideas as a teacher and as a friend; he loved sharing his knowledge with students and others in his life. He was dedicated to his graduate students and had a special passion for international education. While teaching, he would invite foreign graduate students to social and family gatherings to help them feel at home in our country. Many students kept in touch for years after they'd left the postdoctoral oral pathology program.

As much as he loved welcoming foreign students, he also loved traveling to other countries with his wife, Gail, and learning about different cultures. One of his favorite trips was to Bhutan. He described going to Bhutan as the most unusual thing he had ever done. He celebrated his retirement with a biking trip in the Loire Valley France, yacht cruise in Croatia, and river boat through the Ukraine and Baltic Sea. But of all the foreign cities he traveled to, Florence was his favorite. He loved its walkability; natural beauty; warm, friendly, people; and of course, the food. Fine dining was another passion of Bernie's, and he loved exploring the food in all the places he traveled.

Bernie also loved spending time with family and friends. He spent countless hours as scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts and teaching adult education at church. He also took his responsibility as a church elder very seriously. The wisdom and humor he shared with his family and friends will long be remembered and passed on to future generations.

Finally, Bernie loved a good mystery and solved many during his time as the chief forensic dentist for Maryland. He enjoyed piecing together clues to identify unknown bodies, determine likely perpetrators of crime, and diagnose diseases and conditions that stumped his colleagues. These experiences and expertise were shared with colleagues, pathology and surgical graduate students and criminal justice professionals alike. Outside of work, Bernie loved mystery novels-especially historical fiction, a passion he passed down to his daughter, Alice.

Dr Levy studied Zoology at Ohio University, received a doctorate in dental surgery at Western Reserve (now Case Western) University, and a master's degree in oral pathology at Indiana University. In 1969 he began practicing surgical pathology. He developed and directed the resident training in surgical oral pathology program at the University of Maryland Medical System. He has held academic appointments in the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, and the Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences in the School of Dentistry and was the Chief Forensic Dentist for the Office of the Chief Maryland State Medical Examiner's Office. As director of graduate studies, he has supervised the training of over 30 oral and maxillofacial pathologists. He also was the director of international affairs for the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and served as a consultant to Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Veterans Administration. He led curriculum development for governments in Brazil, China, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates who sought expansion of their professional dental programs. Dr. Levy has published extensively in the dental literature since 1966 until his retirement in 2015.

After retiring, he pursued his interests in fly fishing, photography, sketching, travel, hiking, and reading. He volunteered at Bykota Senior Center. As in his working years, he relished good food, good company, and a shared feast.

Born December 20, 1940, to Samuel and Flora Levy in Cleveland, Ohio, he is survived by his wife, Gail Foster Levy; daughter, Alice Levy Burns (Todd Burns) of Arlington, VA; son, David F Levy (Allison Levy) of Santa Fe, NM; and beloved grandchildren: Gavin Burns, Grady Burns, and Anna Katherine Levy. Also surviving is his sister, Marcia Levy of Miami, FL.