Herman Levin's Obituary
Herman (Hy) Levin passed away on May 4, 2021, at his home in Tucson, Arizona. He was 98 years old.
Herman (Hy) was born in Houston, Texas to Nathan and Annie (Rueben) Levin. He grew up in San Antonio, Texas, where he was an outstanding student, violinist and tennis player. Herman proudly served in the Navy and was stationed in the Philippines during WW II. He earned Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin. He was instrumental in developing gas-powered commercial refrigeration units and went on to work in aerospace engineering/materials science at Hughes Aircraft Company in Los Angeles, California, retiring in his early 60s to take care of his beloved wife, Leah, who had breast cancer.
In his retirement years, he was a tremendous volunteer at his synagogue and then moved to Tucson, convincing his daughter and family to relocate there as well. In Tucson, he picked up the violin again after almost 50 years and joined the intergenerational Foothills Philharmonic Orchestra. Being a part of the orchestra was a source of great joy, and he continued with the honor of being the oldest member until age 89, when back and vision issues interfered.
Throughout his life, he was unwavering in his love, kindness, generosity and mentorship to his family and friends. Herman always went “the extra mile” to help, teach, problem-solve, or just listen and comfort, and was deeply loved by all who knew him. His devotion to his Jewish faith and serving others with “deeds of loving-kindness” was steadfast and inspiring.
Herman is survived by his children, Morris Levin and Mara Levin; daughter-in-law Karen Forsthoff; grandchildren Brian, Jeffrey and Thomas Levin, Lindsey and Kira O’Shea, and grandson-in-law Vincent Segovia; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Richard and Charlotte Sue Alterman, as well as beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
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