08/16/14 - NNHS Newsletter - Buddy Levin

Eugene Milton Levin
(14 Apr 1923 - 14 Aug 2014)

Newport News High School Class of 1941

Born on April 14, 1923, he was a lifelong resident of the Peninsula, the last twenty-five in Williamsburg.

Buddy grew up in Newport News and was graduated from Newport News High School in 1941. He received his BSE in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University after serving in the United States Navy as Lieutenant (jg) aboard the USS Intrepid during World War II.

He returned to Newport News after graduation and was employed by Williams, Coile, and Blanchard as an engineer. He later worked for Lang Construction Company. In 1955 he founded Apex Building Contractors, Inc. and later formed Newport Management Company, Inc.

Buddy was the son of Isadore and Sarah Levin. He and his wife, Betty Allene Nachman, shared sixty-three years of life and love together. In addition to his wife, Betty, he is survived by his four children Stephen (Christine) Levin, Nancy Levin, David (Beth) Levin, and Ann Levin Lane.

He is also survived by his eight beloved grandchildren: Daniel Levin, Samuel Levin, Matthew Levin, Harrison Levin, Sarah Levin, Robert Levin, Sadye Lane and Hannah Lane. 

Buddy lived a life of commitment to the community at large and in particular to the Jewish community and encouraged his children and grandchildren to value education and philanthropy. He demonstrated his leadership in these areas in his service as Chairman and longtime board member of the UJA/UJC Annual Campaign; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Endowment Fund and Vice-President of the Federation of the Virginia Peninsula; Vice-President of Rodef Sholom Temple; Co-Chairman of the National Conference for Christians and Jews; board member of the Beth Sholom Home for the Elderly, and an active member of the Community Relations Council Executive Committee.

In the business community he served on the Board of Directors of Sovran Bank (which later became Bank of America); the campaign committee of the Peninsula Nature and Science Center (currently the Virginia Living Museum); and the Board of Directors of American Health Services Inc. He was active in the Peninsula Literacy Council Advisory Board and received the NCCJ Brotherhood Award.

He was dedicated and worked tirelessly toward the betterment of the community.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am Sunday, August 17, at Rodef Sholom Temple in Hampton. Burial will be private.

The family will sit Shiva at home on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday evenings at 7:00.

The family asks that donations in his memory be made to: the Endowment Fund of the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula; An Achievable Dream; or the Virginia Living Museum. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

Published in the Daily Press on August 16, 2014.
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