Edwin Z. Levy, Md

Edwin Z. Levy, MD, 88, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2018, in Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka surrounded by his family.

Ed was born on November 19, 1929, in Highland Park, Illinois, the son of Herbert and Catherine (Rubel) Levy and, later, the stepson of Herta Hess Levy. He was predeceased by his two older sisters, Edith Rall and Jean Eckart. His younger sister, Linda Levy, lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Ed married Nell Taussig on July 1, 1951, and together they had three children, Melissa Levy Hungerford (Paul), Richard E. (Kathleen) and David W. (Toby). Ed and Nell were divorced in 1980. Ed married Kathleen Hunter Levy on September 4, 1983 and became a stepfather to Hunter Burgess. Ed and Kathleen lived, worked, and learned together until his passing, and she survives of the home. Ed is also survived by his children and their spouses, six grandchildren (Emily Hungerford Rubin (Andrew), Dylan Hungerford (Katherine), Ben Levy, Erin Levy, Adelia Levy Wise (Danny), and Tyler Levy (Christa), one great-grandchild (Ian Hungerford), seven step grandchildren (Sebastian, Mayson, Chase, Jake, Bryan, Noah, and Caleb) and six step great-grandchildren (Silas, Sawyer, Samson, Jo-Lea, Magic, and Omega.)

Ed had a long and distinguished career in psychiatric medicine, during which he helped countless patients. He graduated from Stanford University and Northwestern University Medical School, receiving both an MD and a Masters in Pharmacology. He did his medical residency at Bellevue Hospital in New York City before entering the psychiatric training program at the Menninger Clinic in 1956, treating patients at the VA Hospital in Topeka. Shortly thereafter, he was inducted into the Air Force, serving as a Captain stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, where he helped develop and administer psychological testing for the first seven astronauts. He then returned to Topeka to complete his psychiatric training and continued to work for many years at the Menninger Clinic, becoming the Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and teaching at the Menninger School of Psychiatry. After leaving the Menninger Clinic in the 1970s, Ed opened his own practice in Topeka and held positions in or was affiliated with several hospitals and other facilitates in the region. He continued to see patients until shortly before his death.

Ed was involved in many activities throughout the community. During the 1960s and 70s, he was active in Temple Beth Shalom, where he and Nell served as advisors to the youth group and he later served as Temple President. Later in life he developed a renewed interest in studying Judaism, which culminated in his Bar Mitzvah at age 75. Ed also practiced Karate for many years, eventually attaining the rank of Blackbelt. Ed was a lifelong learner who, together with his wife, Kathleen, became a certified Pilates instructor, studied Energy Medicine, and was fascinated by quantum physics. He continued to seek knowledge and develop new passions throughout his life.

A memorial service will be held at Temple Beth Sholom on Friday, January 26, at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest contributions to the temple's Adult Education Fund.

Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel is assisting the family.

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