Marvin Levine

09/05/1930 – 12/11/2013

Marvin Levine passed away on 12/11/13 from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. He was born and raised in The Bronx, New York. He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School, Long Island University and Brooklyn Law School. Law school was interrupted by military service during the Korean Conflict. He served in the Army as a paratrooper in the 2/503rd Regiment of the 11th Airborne Division at Fort Campbell KY. Throughout his life, he was proud of having been an Airborne trooper and had many jumps to his credit.

Following his admission to the bar, he had a small practice in Manhattan. In 1968, Marv was hired as Deputy County Counsel by Santa Barbara County. Throughout his career, he was Chief Deputy County Counsel, Assistant County Counsel and Acting County Counsel before his retirement in 1990. One of his proudest career achievements was representing Santa Barbara County in the lawsuit against Union Oil Company, et. al. following the catastrophic Santa Barbara Channel Oil Blowout of 1969. The lawsuit achieved a substantial settlement for Santa Barbara County and, as a side effect encouraged the environmental movement.

Marv was highly valued and respected as Counsel for the various County departments he served, especially Mental Health and Social Services. He also mentored many younger colleagues. In later years, Marv presided as Judicial Hearing Officer over Mental Health commitments.

During 1965, Marv and his family resided in Southern France. Besides taking the opportunity to travel throughout Europe, Marv pursued his passion for drawing and painting. He was also a music lover and collector and restorer of string instruments. For many years he played recorder music in a quartet of other accomplished musicians in Santa Barbara.

Marv and Peggy Noel married in 1990 and long before retirement, they were enthusiastic foreign travelers, especially enjoying long sea voyages aboard container ships which took them to ports not on the usual cruise ship itineraries.

Marv is survived by wife, Margaret Levine of Santa Barbara; brother, Isaac Levine of Somers, NY; grandchildren, Maurissa and Evan Moore of Colorado; Trevor Noel of Massachusetts; son-in-law, John Moore of Colorado; sister-in-law, Sally Norris of Massachusetts; brothers-in-law, Paul (Fran) Norris of Illinois; Bill Norris of Oregon, Bob Norris of Massachusetts, Richard (Linda) Norris of Virginia; cousins, Joan Gordon of Los Angeles; and Edie Koppelman of New Jersey. Marv was pre-deceased by his beloved daughter, Mindy Levine Moore; former wife, Eleanor Kaplan, Levine Kuntz; and step-son, Scott Noel.

The family thanks Katerina Zamyatina and her staff; Drs. Randall, Howard, Alex Koper, Hsien Young and Sarah Kempe-Mehl for their care of Marv. Thanks also to the DASH program (Doctors Assisting Seniors at Home) and to Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care; especially Elisabeth Swede, R.N.

A memorial gathering will be held in February, details to be announced. Friends wishing to remember Marv may make donations to Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Santa Barbara County, Environmental Defense Center of Santa Barbara, the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara, and the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.