TAPS: CAPT (Ret) Frederick Levin Passes Away at Age 87

Source: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/frederick-levin-obituary?id=56762023

Captain (Retired) Frederick W. Levin, 87, passed away peacefully on 23 October 2024. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland on the 31 August 1937 to parents Earl and Matilda Levin.

Frederick is survived by his wife, the former Janet Faye Ison of Oak Ridge Tennessee, his children Commander Samuel Levin, his daughter-in-law Melanie O'Banion, and their children Jessica, Amanda, Conner; and Mr. Asher Levin and spouse Cheryl Hill. He is also survived by his sister Sherry Rollings and his niece Rachael Rollings.

Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, Fred graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic High School, followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Towson University. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was initially trained as a hospital corpsman, then commissioned a year later as an ensign. While on active duty, he completed a Master of Arts degree in international relations from Boston University and graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval War College. He held additional certificates from the National Cryptology School, Defense Intelligence College, and Combat information Center School. 

Through his 31 years of service, primarily as a Naval Intelligence officer, Fred served in many roles around the world, including two combat tours in Vietnam. His assignments also included a tour at Forward Operating Base, Operation Deep Freeze, at McMurdo Sound, and shipboard tours on the USS Vance and USS Mt. Whitney. He served in various roles on staff with U.S. Naval Forces Japan, NATO SHAPE at Casteau, Belgium and in Geneva, Switzerland in support of disarmament and arms limitation talks. He held the moniker of commanding officer or officer-in-charge (OIC) five times, culminating at his retirement as Commander, Naval Intelligence Command (now the Office of Naval Intelligence) and Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence for Production. He received numerous awards for outstanding military service including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three times), Meritorious Service Medal (three times), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, as well as the Antarctic Service metal and various other campaign and unit awards.

After retirement, Fred’s initial foray was a 10-year career in the defense intelligence business, culminating in his second retirement in 2001 as the Deputy Director for Military Intelligence and Special Operations for Computer Sciences Corporation. After this retirement he and Janet moved to Pensacola, Florida where he promptly integrated into the local area and began teaching at the University of West Florida in the Department of Government, teaching various subjects including classes in National Security Policy, Military intelligence and Espionage. Concomitantly, he was an adjunct professor in Joint Maritime Operations, College of Distant Learning, U.S. Naval War College. From 2002-2017, he also served as an adjunct professor in the College of Distance Education and Training, U.S. Marine Corps University, where in 2010 he received the Major General Thomas S. Jones, USMC Retired, Distance Learning Instructor of the Year Award.
Always standing ready to support, he served in various leadership roles over the last 20+ years in Pensacola area, including as the vice president of the Stonebrook Village Homeowners Association and as both a member of the cardboard crunching crew at Azelea Trace Community and elected member of the Azelea Trace Resident Council.

A man with deep faith and a drive to serve, Fred was an active member of Temple Beth El, and the Pensacola Jewish Federation, serving as the 2007 President of the Pensacola Jewish Federation and President of Temple Beth-El Congregation of Pensacola from 2013-2015.

Fred was married for 62 years and renewed his vows with Janet on their 60th anniversary. A thoughtful romantic, encouraging father, coach and mentor, Fred will be remembered and beloved by all who had the pleasure of meeting him. He lived a purpose-driven life, from the Navy to a business career, to his 20+ years of teaching and mentoring young men and women for service to their community, state or nation.

A memorial commemorating his life and service will be held November 17th at 2:00pm at Temple Beth-El, 800 N Palafox St, Pensacola, FL 32501. Captain Levin will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia at a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for Frederick Levin at Temple Beth -El to benefit the community. Temple Beth -El, 800 N Palafox St, Pensacola, FL 32501, 1(850) 438-3321.