Kenneth "Ken" Levin

Kenneth "Ken" B. Levin, 88, passed away on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 in San Benito, Texas. Ken was born in Baltimore, Maryland on March 5, 1931. He left school early to enlist in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He served as a Staff Sergeant and his unit worked on an offensive radar system that enabled the takeover of an aircraft in the air, making this the precursor to today's drones. Together with his brother-in-law Leon Strauss, Ken helped to desegregate Washington, D.C. lunch counters. Ken excelled in many fields, working as an international financier, scientific technical photographer, prolific writer and newspaperman. In his alter ego as Kris Kringle, Ken spent the better part of three decades bringing smiles to the faces of children and seniors alike. More recently, he was a student majoring in history and political science and became the oldest graduate at the University of Houston. As a student in his 80s, Ken's professors loved him. He brought to class a perspective that few can offer -- an eyewitness to historical events, with almost total recall. Together with his son, Herschel Levin, 25, he achieved two degrees. The first in 2013, from Lone Star College at age 83, and the second, from the University of Houston, in 2016, at age 86. Both times he made the Dean's List, despite being profoundly deaf and legally blind. When Hurricane Harvey hit, Ken and his son were in graduate school, but the storm took its toll and Ken had to drop out. He spent the last two years down in his San Benito home, fishing in a resaca, and listening to the many birds of the Rio Grande Valley. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Selma Oscheroff Levin and Irvin Levin; son, Keith Levin; daughter, Rachel J. Frances; brother, Jay Levin and wife, Etta; and sister, Phyllis Strauss and her husband, Leon Strauss. Ken is survived by his wife, Judy Bluestein Levin; and former wife, Sally Levin; daughters, Susan L. White; Anne D. Levin; Gail B. Levin; Terri L. Owens and husband, Doug A. Owens; Lori A. Riley; Nanci R. Levin; and son, Herschel B. Levin, and life partner, Marlaina Vela. He also is survived by his grandchildren, Samantha Radinsky; April M. Dupre Emmons and husband, Mitchell Emmons; Billy N. Robertson; Cherish A. Robertson; Erin L. Robertson, and husband, Daniel Schulz; Josh Dupre' and wife Amara Dupre'; Sandee Riley; Harrison White; Barbara Burris and husband Richard Burris; and great-grandchildren, Maxx Emmons, Marshall Emmons, Aurora Emmons; Jaedyn Robertson-Smith; Zachary Burris, and Tori Rain Riley. Ken also is survived by beloved nieces and nephews, Stephen Strauss; Paul Strauss; and Michael Strauss and wife Sharon; Karen Morris and husband Michael Morris; and Michael B. Levin and wife, Suzanne. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 10:45 AM at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77038 with Rabbi Anne Belford, officiating. A reception will follow at 2:00 PM at Temple Sinai. Shiva will be at 6:30 PM at Temple Sinai, 13875 Brimhurst Lane, Houston, TX 77077.

Kenneth "Ken" Levin

March 5, 1931 - November 5, 2019