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BURTON LEVIN Obituary
Ambassador Burton Levin, 86, died on October 31, 2016 at home with his family present. He was U.S. Consul General in Hong Kong during negotiations about Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule and U.S. Ambassador to Burma during the 1988 uprisings. After retirement, he directed the HK Asia Society and taught at Carleton College as the SIT Investment Visiting Professor of Asian Affairs. He inspired many to enter a life of public service. He was a man of great wit, self-deprecating humor, and humility. He loved martinis and baseball, preferring the Mets over the Yankees and the Red Sox above all (but never got over the Brooklyn Dodgers moving to Los Angeles). Burt is survived by his wife Lily Lee, son Clifton, daughter and son-in-law, Alicia and Patrick Lee-O'Halloran, cherished grand-children, Quinn and Elliot, and by many other loving relatives.
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Memories and Condolences
for BURTON LEVIN
SIDNEY BRAVERMAN
July 12, 2025
Missed Burt's death notices in 2016.
i lived at 206
I am doing some research into my own experience with the Foreign Service. knew Burt was a foreign Service Officer
Somehow missed the NYT 2016 OBITUARY.
I lived at 230 Quentin Road and Burt at 235. I WAS @ 2
years older so we were not pals. but we knew each other well because 235 was filled with people who were close to me.
Remember him well and knew of his foreign service officer appointment; I too
did Brooklyn College and he knew I passed the Foreign Service Officer Exam, but I became a lawyer instead. I knew when he too passed about 2 years later.
Burt was well liked by the entire, fairly closely knit, Quentin Road West 4th and West 5th Street neighborhood.
What a wonderful and distinguished career.
Didn't see the red hair I remember in the NYT and other pictures!
If anyone wants to communicate: [email protected]. But hurry - just reached 97.
Quentin Road
John Haseman
November 27, 2016
Lily, Ali, Cliff, I write this from Bangkok where I just learned of Burt's passing. It was my privilege to be Amb. Levin's Defense Attache in Burma from 1987 to 1990. His leadership, personal and moral courage made a difficult time more bearable. He was a friend and my best boss in 30 year of military service. I shall miss him deeply.
Mark Michelson
November 22, 2016
Burt was a great friend who was a strongly positive inspiration for me and the countless other people he touched and knew. He was an outstanding, highly knowledgeable and perceptive diplomat; excellent leader and teacher and an outstanding human being - a mensch. His immediate family was always his highest priority, followed closely by his State Dept family, Carleton family, Asia Society family, Chinese families and so many others. Burt was simply as good as it gets.
Jean Talbot
November 10, 2016
Being Burt's friend has been an honor as well as a great pleasure.
Curtis Kamman
November 7, 2016
Burt was my mentor and friend in my first assignment as a political reporting officer in Hong Kong. I couldn't have asked for a better colleague. Mary and I send our condolences to Lily and the two kids. Burt left this world a better place, not just as a professional diplomat but as a wonderful human being.
November 7, 2016
Uncle Burt,
You are the most intelligent, accomplished, loving man I know. Thank you for all the laughs and memories. I will miss you so much, but I know you will be watching from above. I love you.
Chas Freeman
November 6, 2016
Lily:
Like you, like so many others, I loved Burt and will miss him terribly.
November 6, 2016
He was a very good man. I say that as a relative of foreign service officers whose carreers and lives were destroyed by the paranoia of the 1950. For all he did to bring sanity to a troubled world, I say thank you.
Julie Bohlin
November 6, 2016
Ali and Family,
My deepest condolences in the loss of your father. I am honored to have known him and will cherish the memories I have of him and all the wonderful stories that were shared. He was such an intelligent and amazing man who had a deep love for his family. Take care in this difficult time. Love always, Julie.
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