Christopher Gerrit Levey

Christopher Gerrit Levey

East Thetford, VT - Christopher Gerrit Levey, a scientist with a passion for creating community around teaching and learning, singing, dancing, and the outdoors, died peacefully from prostate cancer on September 24th, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones.

Chris was born in Madison Wisconsin in June 1955, and grew up in Berea, Kentucky. He studied Physics at Carleton College, earned his PhD in Physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1984, and completed his post-doctoral research at Bell Labs in New Jersey.

Chris retired in 2022 as an emeritus professor of engineering in the Thayer School at Dartmouth. He was instrumental in embedding a hands-on, project- based learning approach into Dartmouth engineering through both space design and curriculum development. He directed the Microengineering Lab and received wide recognition for his team's work on the world's smallest untethered mobile robot.

Chris met his wife Barbara DeFelice shortly after coming to Dartmouth while seeking reference help in the science library. When they met again at a Halloween contra dance, and he proved to be a lovely waltz partner, she was smitten, and they married in 1994. Chris and Barbara shared many passions over their lifetime together, including hiking and kayaking, English Country dancing, Scandinavian dancing, coaching teen Morris teams, and participating in Revels North performances. Chris coached teen Morris teams for many years, and relished including his son Nacio, now an accomplished musician, in these activities. Chris danced "Lord of the Dance" in Revels for many years, and taught others how to bring the magic of this dance to audiences.

Chris is survived by his wife Barbara and son Nacio, brothers Doug (Lisa) and Bryan (Lisa) and niece and nephews Cate, Meg, Skylar and Forrest.

Chris's nature is reflected in these words from a favorite song of his by Bob Franke:

"What can you do with your

days but work and hope,

Let your dreams bind your

work to your play.

What can you do with each

moment of your life,

But love 'til you've loved it

away, love 'til you've loved

it away."

A celebration of life will be held at a date to be determined. Donations may be made in his memory to the Hand to Heart Project, and/or to VNH.

Knight Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. A full obituary and online guestbook may found at www.knightfuneralhomes.com