Stanley Levenson

Dr. Stanley Levenson, beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away one month after his 94th birthday on October 26, 2025. Born on September 17, 1931 in Brooklyn, NY, Stan was well known for his warmth, kindness, generosity, optimism, love for his family, and genuine interest in others. The greatest joys in his later years were his weekly visits with his beloved wife, Kay Pantelis, who resides in memory care, and the time he shared with his cherished children, Mark and Carla Levenson, from his first marriage.

Stan grew up poor and fatherless during the Great Depression and World War II. He graduated from Brooklyn Automotive High School and, as one of three children, was the only sibling to attend college, earning his degree from SUNY Oswego, where he was a star basketball player. In the 1950s, he spent his summers working in the Catskills. He served two years of active duty in the U.S. Navy in Argentia, Newfoundland, and taught elementary school as well as served as a principal on military bases in Aschaffenburg and Bad Hersfeld, Germany. He went on to earn a master's degree in School Administration from UCLA and a Ph.D. in Leadership and Human Behavior from U.S. International University (now Alliant International University) in San Diego.

Stan devoted his life to education, working as an elementary school teacher at all grade levels, a school principal, a district-level administrator, a college professor, an educational fundraising consultant, and a freelance writer. He authored dozens of education articles and five books, including When Brooklyn Was Heaven: A Memoir from Brooklyn to L.A. and Places In-Between. After his time in education he went into residential real estate and was a co-owner of 'Veteran Real Estate' with his son Mark.

He remained energetic and independent up until his final days. Stan played tennis until age 91 and traveled the world. He enjoyed live music, pastrami sandwiches and matzo ball soup, and savored a Stella Artois almost every night. He recently developed an interest in horse racing and proudly owned shares in four racehorses. His favorite activity in the past few years was visiting Coronado to listen to music by the bay - something he was able to do almost every Sunday.

Stan was predeceased by his father Frank Levenson; his mother Esther (Nerenberg) Levenson; his sisters, Norma Haynes (and husband Morty Haynes) and Edith Citron (and husband Ben Citron); and his nephew Fred Haynes. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kay Pantelis; his son, Mark Levenson (and wife Deborah Levenson); his daughter, Carla Levenson (and husband Steve Gwynne); his granddaughter, Keely Gwynne; and his nephew, Ron Haynes. Stan held a special appreciation for his sister-in-law, Georgia Menges, for her deep devotion to Kay, and for his good friends and drivers, David Brownstead and John Post, who took him to visit Kay every week. He also cherished his Swedish family, the Haverdahls, and had many great longtime friends that dated back as far as Junior High School.

Stan was cremated, and his final resting place will be Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego - a place of peace and honor for veterans. His memory will remain forever in our hearts.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, San Diego Food Bank, or the Stan Levenson '54 Scholarship at SUNY Oswego.