Rhett Leverett, 60 a college history professor and retired federal civil servant died October 1 in Washington, DC, after being struck by a motorist while walking his dog in his Penn Quarter neighborhood. Rhett taught European history Mary Mount University in Arlington, Virginia for the past 20 years, where he was a full-time assistant professor. He also worked for the federal government for 25 years. His distinguished government caret began in 1945 when he became an agency representative with the Social Security Distraction in Birmingham and Washington, DC. He then joined the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for two yeas as an investigative specialist in New Orleans and Baltimore. In 1979, he became an internal trade analyst with the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington, DC, advising the President and Congress on trade matters. During hi tenure at the ITC, he was featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal as the “portly” who was “the federal governments for most expert on brooms and brushes,” keeping close watch on import quotas and trade effects on this important American industry, as well as furniture and other products. In 1987, he moved to the Internal Revenue service where he served in various positions, including Legislative Liaison in the Commissioner’s office, until his retirement in 2007. Rhett was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on July 15, 1952. He received his undergraduate degree in history with honors from the University of Alabama. He earned his Master’s degree from the University of Illinois and did doctorate study at the Catholic University of America. Rhett never lost his love of history, and began teaching at Charles County College and Prince George’s County Community College in the late 1980’s in 1991; he became a part-time instructor at Marymount University. His students admired Rhett as a demanding professor who was passionate about his work, incited their interest in history, and brought his sense of humor, kindness, and genuine love of the subject to every lecture. He was an expert on modern European Events, who also shared local culture, national and world events, and anecdotes from his personal and professional life to enrich the classroom dialogue. As a guest of the French ambassador to the United States at a recent charity even, he was asked to address significant historical issues concerning U.S.-relations during the 19th and 20th centuries. Rhett had a keen interest in community activities wherever he lived or worked, whether serving on the board of his condo association or credit union, or volunteering at local threaters. He was an avid theatre goer, and often spent Broadway-packed weekends in NYC. He loved to travel and shared his love of good food with his many friends. He was affectionately called the “Mayor of Penn Quarter” and was easily recognized on neighborhood streets walking his dog, Beth. Survivors include his father, Charles Leverett of Birmingham, Alabama and his beloved West Highland terrier, Beth. He was preceded in death by his mother, Maudine “Dean “Leverett; and his brother, Bruce Leverett. In addition to his immediate family, Rhett leaves a host of friends and colleagues that were drawn into his life by his Southern charm, magnanimous personality, and endless enthusiasm and energy. He had a knack for making everyone laugh and smile, even interested in what people to say. He was an unforgettable persona- a larger than life large man
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18