HAROLD LEVEY

LEVEY--Dr. Harold A.,

writer, medical school professor, world traveler, died Wednesday, March 29, 2017 after a brief illness. He was 92. Hal, as he was known to family and friends, was a 30-year resident of Brooklyn Heights, NY. Those who knew Hal loved his biting wit, his brilliant mind, his fierce independence and his appreciation for a great debate. Never shy about expressing a strong opinion, conversations with Hal were challenging and stimulating and required a sharp mind to keep up. The depth and breadth of his knowledge about an enormous array of subjects never ceased to amaze those who spent time with him. In his later years, Hal turned his considerable energy to crafting his crowning achievement, culminating with the publication of his first and only book, Under the Pong Pong Tree, about the Japanese invasion of Singapore during WWII. Hal spent a year in the 1960s on the medical faculty of the University of Singapore, keeping a comprehensive journal that he used as inspiration and background for his novel. After graduating in 1942 from Winthrop High School in Massachusetts, Hal attended college but dropped out of Northeastern to enlist in the Army Air Corps (now the Air Force). Back in the civilian world, Hal attended and graduated from Harvard University, then received his PhD from UCLA. He enjoyed a long career as a Professor of Physiology/Endocrinology, teaching medical students at Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. Hal married Rae Angelico in 1959. They moved from Brooklyn Heights, NY to Mountain Lakes, NJ when their two children were young. Rae died in 1989. As a widower, Hal returned to Brooklyn Heights. After retiring, he traveled the world, visiting numerous countries in Europe, Africa and Asia, making several return visits over the years to his favorite places. Hal is survived by his son Chris Levey and daughter Karen Stollery and their spouses, Amanda Pellar and Tim Stollery. He is survived by seven grandchildren: Brian, Jeff and Alex Stollery; and Robbie, Doug, Grace and Claire Levey. Services will be private.