Ralph was born March 5, 1936, to Joe and Dorothy Levitan. He attended West Philadelphia High School where he played basketball and tennis. He went on to attend the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (Class of 1958), where he was captain of the Penn Tennis Team and ranked as one of the all-time Penn Men’s Tennis Letterwinners. (https://pennathletics.com/news/2016/6/27/5771a3d7e4b0028e7235ac8a_131492760887908869)
Ralph attended Villanova University School of Law, graduating in 1961, and practiced law in Center City, Philadelphia for close to 40 years.
Ralph was 16 when he met his forever love, Phyllis ‘Flip’ Stein, at Camp Lindenmere in the Poconos in 1952. He knew she was something special when he asked her to the movies and she responded, “with who?” Ralph charmed his way into Flip’s heart with his sparkling blue eyes and zest for life. They married June 14, 1959, and raised their family in Wyncote, Pennsylvania. Ralph and Flip eventually retired to Naples and then St. Simons Island, Georgia, before spending their final years in Jacksonville, Florida.
Ralph played competitive tennis in the Philadelphia area for decades. His love of tennis turned into a partnership in building and owning Cheltenham Racket Club for many years. A tennis pro, Ralph shared his skills and passion for the game to many. Ralph was also an avid golfer, proudly scoring two hole-in-ones in his golfing career. He was a dedicated Philadelphia Sports fan, throughout the many highs and lows of the Eagles, Sixers, Phillies and Flyers. He passed along his love of sports (and Philadelphia teams) to his children and grandchildren.
A dear friend to many, Ralph maintained friendships – some lasting 60 years – from camp, college, law school, tennis, golf, and card games. He was one to always pick up the phone to check on a friend, organize a tennis match, round of golf or a night of Pinochle and Bridge.
Ralph led by example and showed his children and grandchildren the importance of family, education and always trying your best. A loving and faithful husband, in good times and bad, through sickness and health, he took his wedding vows seriously. Ralph’s love for and devotion to Flip was evident to all who knew them, and they were inseparable during their 63 years of marriage. Ralph was the gatekeeper for Flip as her Parkinson’s progressed and watched over her with love and compassion. After her passing in November, he missed his “rock” as he described her, and passed peacefully to join his love.
Ralph is survived by his children Paul (Lauren), Richard (Anna) and Terri Levitan, and his loving grandchildren, Ashley Jenna Katzenstein, Hayley Beth Katzenstein, Frances Hunter Levitan, Joseph Robert Levitan, Jacqueline Lee Levitan, Jonathan Ross Levitan, and Joshua Cooks Levitan, as well as dear nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Joe Levitan, his brother, Steve Levitan, his wife, Phyllis Stein Levitan, and his beloved granddaughter, Lee Merritt Levitan.
In lieu of flowers, the Levitan family requests that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to Text Less Live More. (https://textlesslivemore.org/donate)
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgmandarin.com for the Levitan family.
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