Bernard Michael Levine, 92, a resident of Huntsville, AL since 1972 and son of Rachel and Louis Levine of New Brunswick, NJ, died January 29, 2018 of natural causes.
A renaissance man with a lifelong passion for learning and an innate talent for engineering, invention and science curriculum development, is survived by four children (Richard Levine, Tucson, AZ; Kim Levine Mattina, Greensboro, NC; Babette Levine Anders, Huntsville, AL; and Laurie Levine Sherrell, Birmingham, AL), eight grandchildren and one great-grandson, Miles Adam Levine.
A 32nd degree Mason, long-time voluntary reader for public radio, and friend of nature and animals, Bernard served his country in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II and earned a Bronze Star for distinguished service. His experiences as a Jewish American serving in WWII were captured in memoirs and submitted and accepted by the World War II archives housed in New Orleans, LA.
Bernard grew up in Jersey City, NJ, as the youngest son of parents of 2nd generation Russian descent. He attended Saint Bonaventure College where he graduated with a degree in physics and engineering.
Bernard’s career began with working alongside his father and brother at a Kaiser Roth manufacturing plant in Harrison Valley, NY. At that time, the plant made gloves for military applications as well as for fashion.
Soon after meeting and marrying his wife of 62 years, Leila Carolin Levinson of Coudersport, PA, Bernard moved his new family to Wellsville, NY, where he worked with Air PreHeator, a subsidiary of Combustion Engineering. In the early 1960’s, Bernard left the Northeast, accepting a position with the space and aeronautics division of McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, MO. In 1972, he moved to Huntsville, AL, where he worked as a thermodynamics engineer with the space program on components of SkyLab and later the Space Shuttle.
In 1975, Bernard left the space program to pursue opportunities in environmental science working first as a consultant with the Tennessee Valley Authority and later as a curriculum development specialist at the Johnson Environmental Center at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. During this period, which also marked the era of gasoline shortages across the U.S., Bernard worked as a tireless volunteer and advocate for advancing the manufacture and use of solar energy. His efforts led to additional state tax credits for homeowners using solar energy.
Bernard was preceded in death by his wife Leila, his brother Martin and sisters Pauline and Harriett.
Private services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the: Bernice Z. Levinson Creative Writing Scholarship Fund, c/o Northern Trust Citizens Bank, John Abplanalp, Business Manager, Coudersport Area School District Business Office, 698 Dwight Street, Coudersport, PA 16915.
