Engineer, lawyer, coach, Fred Levine dies at age 68

Frederick Levine, a longtime Riverdale resident and former coach for the South Riverdale Little League, died on Jan. 28. He was 68.

Mr. Levine was born on Nov. 7, 1944 and grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

He graduated Stuyvesant High School in 1961 and went on to attend the City College School of Engineering, where he earned his degree in 1968. 

After graduating, he worked for a short time for the state of California Highway Department, but returned to New York City in 1969 to become the borough engineer of Bronx construction. In that role, he oversaw repairs and improvements to streets in Riverdale and throughout the Bronx.

At the age of 50, Mr. Levine decided to return to school and graduated from Cardozo Law School in 1993. Blending his two careers, he became an attorney who specialized in construction law.

In his spare time, Mr. Levine was a coach and board member of the South Riverdale Little League, and coached baseball, basketball and soccer.

“The players on his teams always had a great time,” said his wife, Terri Levine, who taught at the Robert J. Christen School, PS 81, for many years.

His coaching stint inspired a love of soccer, and he became a “fanatic,” his wife said, traveling to England, Portugal and France to watch games. Even after his two boys were grown, she said, he would sit and watch local matches unfold in Seton Park.

Mr. Levine served on the board of directors of his Palisade Avenue co-op for many years. He was also an avid tennis player, enjoyed traveling as well as the opera, a good steak, and Motown and cantorial music, his wife said.

“His every day was a celebration of life,” Mrs. Levine said.

Mr. Levine is survived by his wife, Terri, of 42 years; sons, Howie and Allen, both of Manhattan; daughter-in-law Dominique; and grandson, Leo, who was born four days before Mr. Levine’s death.

The family asks that contributions in Mr. Levine’s name be made to Calvary Hospital, 1740 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY. 10461.