Dr. Brent Lewin Levinson

Brent Lewin Levinson; cherished husband, devoted father, respected psychologist, and lifelong learner, passed away on December 2, 2025 at the age of 79 in Newton, Massachusetts. Known for his passionate spirit, tenacity, deep empathy, and boundless curiosity, Brent spent his life helping others find clarity, strength, and self-understanding.

Brent was born on September 18, 1946, in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, to Carlyn Krupp Levinson and Justice Bernard Hirsh Levinson. He grew up in a home shaped by Jewish values, public service, intellectual inquiry, and profound caring for others. His father helped establish Temple Emanu-El and later served on the Supreme Court of Hawai‘i. His mother was a leader in Sisterhood organizations and dedicated her time to hospitalized patients and community education. This heritage of service and compassion became the foundation of Brent’s own life.

A gifted student, Brent graduated near the top of his class at Punahou School, where he was a National Merit Scholar finalist, a state debate champion, and his class’s graduation speaker. He attended a Camp for Living Judaism in California and served in multiple youth leadership roles within the Honolulu Jewish community.

Brent began his undergraduate studies at Stanford University before transferring to Brandeis University, where he served as Chief Justice of the Student Board of Review and became an active voice in the national conversation about civil rights and the Vietnam War. Initially admitted to Harvard Law School, he quickly realized his true purpose lay not in arguing the law but in understanding people. He transferred into Harvard’s Clinical Psychology program and earned his Ph.D. with distinction. His early research on gradual reduction in smoking cessation remains referenced in scientific literature today.

Brent became licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in Massachusetts in 1973 and soon established a respected career focused on helping adults facing anxiety, depression, and addiction. He worked at Charles River Counseling Center, Family Services of Greater Boston, and Mount Auburn Hospital, while building a private practice across several decades. His colleagues admired his intelligence and clinical rigor; his patients cherished his kindness and ability to listen fully. Brent believed that every person deserved to feel heard, and he lived that belief daily.

The great joy of Brent’s life began when he met the love of his life, Karen Frostig, at a community event in Boston. They married on June 10, 1984, and built a home filled with laughter, books, lively conversation, and unwavering support. In 1990, they welcomed their son, Kabren Frostig Levinson, and Brent embraced fatherhood with awe. When asked what that experience was like, he said simply: “It was awesome. I never dreamed I could do that.”

One of Brent’s most meaningful daily rituals was preparing fresh fruit for his family every morning. He woke before dawn, quietly washing, slicing, arranging, an act of devotion that reflected who he was at his core: committed, loving, and always finding small ways to make life sweeter for the people he loved.

Outside his professional and family life, Brent delighted in conversation, friendly competition, and humor. He had the rare ability to speak profoundly about human behavior and then pivot to a perfectly timed joke. He enjoyed playing ping-pong and took pride in winning spirited typing contests, reaching at least eighty words per minute with ease.

Brent is survived by his beloved wife, Karen Frostig; his son, Kabren Levinson & daughter-in-law Emily Levinson; his brother, Peter Levinson and sister-in-law Nanette Levinson; nephew Justin Levinson and his wife Galit Levinson; niece Sharman Levinson; and nephew Ryan Frostig. He is predeceased by his parents, Carlyn and Bernard Levinson.

A funeral service will be held at Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard Street, Brookline on Tuesday, December 9th at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Beit Olam East Cemetery, Wayland. Shiva will be announced at the service. To view by livestream, www.levinelive.com/brentlevinson

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the PKD Foundation (polycystic kidney disease), https://tinyurl.com/PKDBrent

May his memory be a blessing.