Melvin H. Levin's Obituary
September 27, 2014
Melvin “Mel” H. Levin MD, FACP, FACR, 94, of Honolulu, HI, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Saturday, September 27th.
He is survived by his wife Clare, son Wayne and wife Mary Belanger, daughter Beth, daughter-in-law Olivia, and brother Berton and wife Jeri. A beloved son, Dr. Larry Levin predeceased him in February. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Michael Levin and wife Crissa, Shaina Evoniuk, Kai Evoniuk and Elise Noelani Levin. A beloved grandson David Brian Levin predeceased him in 1991. He was predeceased by a brother Sherwood.
He was born in Buffalo, New York son of Abe and Rose Levin.
Dr. Levin was a well-known and respected Rheumatologist, retiring at the age of 90. He practiced rheumatology in Beverly Hills and was on the medical executive board of Cedars Sinai before moving to Hawaii and Straub Clinic to serve as the first Rheumatologist in Hawaii. He joined Orthopedic Associates of Hawaii and worked many years as their Rheumatologist. He later joined his son, Larry, in private practice in Honolulu at Queen’s. Mel also enjoyed teaching and taught at UCLA and the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine where he served as Chief of Rheumatology for many years.
He received his medical degree from UCSF School of Medicine. Joined the Navy in WWII as a physician and served again in the Korean War as a Navy physician attached to the Marine Corp.
He was a Founding Fellow of the American Rheumatism Association and later received a grant from the Arthritis Foundation to start an Arthritis center serving the Islands of the Pacific.
In 1981 at the 15th International Congress of Rheumatology he won 1st prize from the French Rheumatology Society for his paper describing the effectiveness of 6 years of free monthly meetings with his patients and their families to educate and assist them in dealing with their disease.
Mel traveled extensively and enjoyed skiing, tennis and studying astronomy with his wife of 70 years and his many friends. His favorite pastime was sailing and sail boat racing with his sons. He loved medicine more than any avocation and often said that he “lived and practiced in the golden age of medicine”.
Private Scattering
In lieu of flowers; donations to your charity of choice
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