Murray David Levine

Murray Levine passed away Sept. 29 at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis, due to complications of myelodysplastic syndrome. He was 64. Murray was born on May 10, 1949, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Norman and Sheba Levine. He grew up in Downey, Calif., with his sister, Carol, and graduated from Warren High School in 1967. In 1972 he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in physics at the University of California — Irvine, and married his college girlfriend, Barbara Book. Right after the wedding they moved to Seattle to attend graduate school at the University of Washington. He studied for six years to earn a doctorate in physical oceanography, which prepared him for his future career and established a score of lifelong friendships. In 1978, he accepted a position at Oregon State University and began his 35-year career at the College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, rising from a postdoctoral researcher to full professor. He was a seagoing physical oceanographer and an international expert on oceanic internal waves. Complementing his research work, Murray was a gifted teacher. In 1998, he was awarded the very first Pattallo Award for Excellence in Teaching. He also was a valued mentor, serving on more than 30 graduate committees. Murray also was a devoted husband for 41 years to his wife, Barb; a loving and attentive father to his children, Jessica and Oliver; and a wonderful grandpa to his grandchildren. He was very active in the local Jewish community, Beit Am, where he was Sunday school principal and board president and treasurer, always with his trusty Robert’s Rules of Order at his side. He also served on the never-ending rabbi search committee, created humorous radio shows for Beit Am socials and happily joined the cleanup crew after every event. Over his lifetime he enjoyed photography, biking, sailing, camping and guitar playing, but he mostly is remembered around the house as Mr. Fix-It. He would tackle any project, from plumbing and electric to mechanics and computers, and he always was happy to lend a hand to others. He also made many appreciative friends as the “party guy,” especially on New Year’s Eve. He would spend hours preparing games and quizzes, creating funny theme cakes and putting together extensive song lists to get everyone out on the floor dancing. His other favorite activity was leading the seder for Passover. He started this tradition with his friends in graduate school, where he was the only Jew, later staging a seder in the Arctic for his colleagues on an ice camp, and continuing with family and friends for the rest of his life. Murray is survived by his mother, Sheba; sister, Carol (Charlie); wife, Barb; daughter, Jessica Lambright (Ben); son, Oliver; and his beloved grandchildren, Sam and Sierra. He was a dear man and a real mensch who will be greatly missed.

Tributes

Murray David Levine

May 10, 1949 - September 29, 2013