Leon B. Levy

Leon B. Levy passed away early Monday morning August 9, 2010 after a long struggle with diabetes. Dr. Levy, a retired research chemist, worked for 37 years for one of our nation's major chemical companies. Born and brought up in the Bronx, New York City, he attended the Bronx High School of Science, New York University (Bronx University Heights campus), and Harvard University Graduate School, where he earned his doctorate in chemistry. He emigrated south to Corpus Christi, Texas in 1962 and has been a damn Yankee there ever since. (Yankees visit Texas and then go back home; damn Yankees don't leave!)

His career specialty was in the field of acrylic monomers (the raw materials for many plastics and polymers), and he retired at the level of Senior Research Associate, having published a number of papers in scientific journals. His business travels took him all over the world to settings for many of the humorous situations he describes in "Adventures of a Sumo Chemist."

Dr. Levy is survived by his wife, Connie, a retired high school English teacher and diligent editor of Leon's book, and writer in her own right. They have two children, Elizabeth, a psychologist and Joseph, a film and television producer. He is also survived by his son-in-law Aqueel Darbar and his two grandchildren, Sarah and Aaron Darbar.

Leon's hobbies included bird watching, classical music, surfing the web, travel, and trying to stay out of trouble. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the American Diabetes Association or the National Audubon Society.”

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 10, 2010 in the Chapel of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. Graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at Seaside Memorial Park in Corpus Christi, Texas.