Daniel H. "Dan" Levin

On Sunday November 13, 2022, Dr. Daniel H. “Dan“ Levin passed away at the age of 94.  He touched the lives of many through his role as husband, brother, uncle, friend and mentor and researcher.

Dan was born in Baltimore Maryland on November 26, 1927 to Simon and Fannie Levin from Ukraine and Romania, respectively.  After graduating from Baltimore City College, he received a B.A. degree from The Johns Hopkins University in 1948 and a M.A. degree from Indiana University in 1950.  He received his Ph.D. degree from the Department of Biochemistry of New York University in 1959.  His thesis work focused on the conversion of ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides.  For this work, he received the Founders Day Award upon confirmation of his doctorate from New York University.

He continued his work in various venues, including L’Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique in Paris, National Institutes of Health, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Beth Israel Medical Center, and the Institute for Muscle Disease in New York.  In 1974, he assumed his ultimate post as Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Throughout his career, he was dedicated to his research.  This research included long-term studies of the replicative cycle of reovirus, the molecular mechanism of protein chain initiation in eukaryotes, and the translational controls of protein synthesis in eukaryotes.  In addition to his bench research, he remained active in teaching and administration.  For decades, he reviewed manuscript submissions for a large number of prestigious scientific journals, and he served as an outside reviewer of grant applications for many governmental agencies. 

Sharing his knowledge and experience was paramount in his professional career.  He assisted many colleagues in his departments with grant applications, and he was mentor to many post-doctoral fellows.

Dan was known for his off-beat sense of humor and for his kindness, and he was curious about everything.  As Dan travelled the world, he was always in search of new knowledge and experience.  He seemed to remember every person that he ever met.  He remained life-long friends with his elementary school and high school and college classmates and with his professional colleagues.  Sadly, many of them have already passed away, but Dan continued friendships with their children and even with their grandchildren. 

Dan is survived by his loving wife, Matsuko ,  his niece, Dr. Lauren Schnaper (James Carlton), and several grand-nieces and grand-nephews.  He is also survived by many friends whom he considered family.

A private memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2022.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choosing.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Daniel H. "Dan" Levin, please visit our floral store.