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Richard Levenberg Obituary
04/27/1937 - 07/07/2024
Richard S. Levenberg
1937 - 2024
Richard S. Levenberg, affectionately known as "Dick," died on July 7, 2024. A loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and friend, Dick's legacy is one of love, dedication, and a passion for life.
Born in Gary, Indiana in 1937, Dick was the eldest of four children of Milton and Thelma (Gross) Levenberg. He graduated from Cornell University and later earned his law degree from Stanford University Law School, where he served on the Law Review and was a member of the Order of the Coif.
Dick's career spanned roles in large corporations, such as Great Western United, Shakey's Pizza and Arby's, the State of California and the family-owned business, American Supply Co. His professional life was marked by integrity and a commitment to excellence.
In 1966, Dick married Patricia Booth (Pat) at Temple Emanuel in San Francisco, after a serendipitous meeting at the Buena Vista Café. They shared nearly 58 years of marriage, marked by a deep love for each other and a shared zest for life. Together, they moved to Denver in 1970, where they enjoyed the outdoor lifestyle, skiing, hiking, and making lifelong friends.
The couple relocated to Illinois in 1979 to join the family business and where they raised three children–Josh, Mandy, and Wrenn–in Flossmoor. Family was the cornerstone of Dick's life, and he cherished the time spent with loved ones, particularly during Shabbat dinners.
When Dick wasn't playing sports, he was rooting for or coaching his family on the field, cheering his kids and eventually his grandkids at soccer games, softball games, and tennis matches.
While still in the suburbs and then after becoming a proper Chicagoan in 1997, he joined Pat in trying all the best restaurants, going to the movies and museums, watching plays, and attending symphony concerts, even in his last few weeks of life. He loved music, particularly the former WBEZ radio show Jazz Forum with Dick Buckley, and his Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller Band albums.
A loyal and lifelong fan of the Chicago White Sox and Bulls, Dick seamlessly transitioned to cheering for the San Francisco Giants and Warriors after moving to San Francisco in 2014. He was often seen checking scores on his Apple Watch, even during dinner outings.
Dick was an avid reader and a lifelong learner. He frequently read more than one book at a time and recommended books to his local library. Whenever he left the house he had a book or the newspaper in hand. After retiring, he took classes at the OLLI in Chicago and the FROMM Institute in San Francisco. His intellectual curiosity extended to history, music, and more, enriching his life and those around him.
Community service was a significant part of Dick's life. He served as President of the Gary Rotary Club, volunteered at Cabrini Green Legal Aid, and supported numerous charities generously.
He and Pat made a big life together, they loved hosting dinner parties, going out with old friends and new, and while he never wanted to plan the trip, he absolutely loved going on all of their adventures over the years. He embraced other cultures and loved trying new foods, seeing art around the world, and, together with Pat, instilled a lifelong love of travel and curiosity in all of their children
You could make Dick's day by offering him a Hershey Bar with almonds, a root beer float, his mother's split pea soup, and linguini with clams from Original Joe's. His pastimes included going on walks, watching baseball games, travel, reading books to his grandchildren and cheering on the Warriors.
He frequently said that his greatest accomplishment was raising three wonderful children. Dick is survived by his loving wife, Pat, his children Josh (Verna Kuo), Mandy (Clay McDaniel), and Wrenn (Aaron Andalman), and his eight grandchildren: Alexander, Zoe, Vivi, Stella, Jax, Hazel, Ellery, and Levi.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
-Jewish Family and Children's Services of San Francisco
-The FROMM Institute for Lifelong Learning at University of San Francisco
-The Friends of the San Francisco Public Library
-Cabrini Green Legal Aid, Chicago
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Levenberg
Jeremiah Anderson
August 16, 2024
My name is Jeremiah Anderson, and I am a Development Associate at Cabrini Green Legal Aid. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to your family during this difficult time. We would like to send a note to the family, but we do not have an address on file. Could a member of the family please contact me at [email protected] with the best address to send our message?
Judy Yang
July 21, 2024
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Christine Boschen
July 16, 2024
Dear Pat, Josh, Mandy, Wrenn, and family, I have sweet memories of your dad, his sense of humor and fun, him zipping by us (Porsche? BMW?) in our station wagon on I-70, after a day on the slopes heading back to Denver, and my dad chuckling at Dick´s zest for speed.
Pat, I was thinking of you today and remembering how you doted on me when I was arriving in Flossmoor to stay with you all, on my way to and from Denver and Ohio. I love you Levenbergs and dearly appreciate you, thank you for the joy you radiate as a family. Dick, I miss you and though it has been many, many years, I still appreciate and remember you.
I send you love and condolences from the SF East Bay.
Christine Boschen Ghodrati
Joelle
July 15, 2024
I hope that your wonderful memories will give you strength going forward.
Best, Joelle
Jilll & Lee Weiss
July 15, 2024
Pat, Josh, Mandy, Wrenn & Linda,
Our hearts are broken as are yours.
As one of my 'older' cousins, I was a bit in awe of Dick. I was made well-aware by my parents of his educational background & accomplishments. We always enjoyed being together with our families which began in Gary, then Flossmoor, and then again when you would visit Arizona. We continue to admire the beautiful family that Dick & Pat created.
Dick was never short on his insights into ANY subject and was very impressive as he appeared to know a lot about a lot.
Good memories will continue to keep him with us.
With love,
Jill & Lee Weiss
Mark Stern
July 14, 2024
So sad to read this in the Tribune this morning. My sympathy to you and your family. I lost Mona last October.
Mark
Leslie and Roberta Shwartz
July 14, 2024
Dear Pat,
Leslie and I were so sorry to learn of Dick´s passing. We loved running into the two of you at restaurants, theater and concerts when you lived in downtown Chicago.
Dick had such a zest for living and a great sense of humor. I was proud that he was my cousin.
We send our deepest sympathy to you and your children.
Love,
Cousins Leslie and Roberta Shwartz
Alice Dy
July 12, 2024
I was so blessed to be able to help Pat take care of Dick these last 14 months. Dick was so easy to be with and he never complained about anything. We had so much fun watching the Warriors, Giants and 49ers games.
We were able to talk about anything and everything - from news to politics to sports to music to food to vacations to family to nostalgia.
Dick had a great sense of humor and we shared so many laughs together. One day while doing his exercises, he pointed to a picture of Marilyn Monroe on the kitchen wall and told me that she was his ex-girlfriend. I asked him what happened to that relationship and he said he left Marilyn because he met Pat who he knew would be the love of his life.
Every day I could tell how much Dick loved Pat and his children and grandchildren. I became so attached to both Dick and Pat and I am so grateful for the love, kindness, generosity and advice they gave me. They always treated me like family.
Love you both forever.
Bunny Gross & Alice Dy
July 11, 2024
Dearest Dick,
The Day God Called You Home
God looked around His garden
and He found an empty place.
He then looked down upon His Earth
and saw your tired face.
He put His arms around you
and lifted you to rest,
God's garden must be beautiful,
He always takes the best.
He knew that you would never
get well on Earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
and the hills were hard to climb,
So He closed your weary eyelids
and whispered, "Peace be thine."
It broke our hearts to lose you
but you didn't go alone,
For part of us went with you,
the day God called you home.
You will always be in our hearts.
Lisa Levenberg Toth
July 11, 2024
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man. We were so heartbroken to learn of Dick´s passing, especially as we were just planning a trip to SF next month to visit you both. Dad loved you both so dearly and had such amazing memories of times shared. His "nephew" Dick was only 7 years younger! Sending so much love to you all, and look forward to hugging your necks in person someday soon. Praying extra for you all, too
Peter and Brooks Rooney
July 10, 2024
Brooks and I understand this isa difficult time for you family, but all of our memories of Dick will always bring a warm smile.
I had the good fortune to room with Dick at Blackacre out in Woodside during our last year at Stanford Law School. Later that summer, we shared an apartment in San Francisco while studying for the California Bar. I continue to treasure the insights he shared with everyone even in those early years of his career.
Pauline Robertson
July 10, 2024
The obituary says it all and I will add that he was funny as he recounted humorous stories of Pat, children and grandchildren over the years. I will also note that Pat was the most loving, caring and devoted wife to Dick, esp these past few years as his health slowly declined. His needs were always met with love and caring. My heart is so sad for the entire family . All I can do is send lots of love and BIG hugs. Pauline
Aaron Johnson
July 10, 2024
I am going to miss Uncle Dick. I had not seen him for a long time but I know he was a great man. My condolences Aunt Pat, Wrenn, Josh and Mandy. We love and support you in Illinois.
Terry Ohleyer friend of both Pat and Dick
July 10, 2024
Dick was a great guy and Pat took good care of him. Dickhad a good sense of humor Sorry he passed. Terry
Anne Derbes
July 10, 2024
Dear Pat, we are so very very sorry. Wish we were in SF to hug you. Dick was a wonderful man and we were lucky to know him and of course you. Much love from us both.
Nancy Terner Nussbaum
July 10, 2024
I was so very sad to learn that Dick had passed away. I have so many wonderful memories of growing up across the street from the Levenberg family. Dick was always someone to look up to...smart, kind, a true gentleman. I noted that he so loved his mother's split pea soup...I have the recipe and have been making it for years, always thinking of "Aunt Thelma!"
Pat and Dick were so very kind and thoughtful to my mom and to me. Sending love to Pat, the family and to Linda and knowing that his memory will always be a blessing.
dmm
July 10, 2024
RIP, G_d speed
Karen Weiss
July 9, 2024
What a nice man and special cousin. My heart goes out to Pat and their clan. I was lucky to see so many of you all on Whidbey Island a few years back. Also my condolences to Dick's sister Linda. So hard to see all of her brothers gone.
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