Obituary for Richard Bruce Levin
Richard Bruce Levin, MD
August 22, 1943 – June 7, 2021
Encinitas resident Richard Bruce Levin, age 77, passed away peacefully of respiratory failure on June 7, 2021. Young at heart and always determined to live on his own terms, Richard was driven by a strong desire to help others and save lives. He was a compassionate physician who frequently offered impromptu consults, free of charge, to people he met in his community who had health concerns. He had a keen intuition for detecting conditions that otherwise would have gone unnoticed. One of his proudest achievements was diagnosing thyroid cancer in one of his own relatives and recommending alternative treatments that successfully shrank the tumor, reducing the amount of invasive care needed to remove it. A lifelong student of science, he also secured a patent for a biofeedback device to alert drivers and pilots to drowsiness – similar to the “driver assist” technology found in many vehicles today.
Richard was born on August 22, 1943 to Max and Dorothy (née Gillman) Levin in San Francisco, CA. His father was a psychologist and university administrator, and his mother was a clinical social worker and licensed therapist. Richard studied biology as an undergraduate at Stanford, graduating in 1965. After beginning graduate school to conduct neurological research at UCLA, he decided to return to Stanford to pursue a medical degree, graduating in 1973. Richard completed his training as a physician in Salinas, California at the United Farm Workers clinic and went on to practice Family Medicine for more than 30 years in a variety of locations, including Camp Pendleton, San Diego State University, and his own private practice in Encinitas.
In 1979, Richard married Jessica Fuhrman, with whom he went on to have two sons – Daniel, a benefits manager, and Samuel, an optometrist. Richard was very proud of both his sons and delighted in seeing all that they had achieved. He particularly enjoyed spending time with them as children on his boat in San Diego.
As an enthusiastic seeker of knowledge, Richard developed a great appreciation for other cultures during trips to Mexico, Europe, and Israel. He often spent afternoons in little cafes meeting the locals, while enjoying a brandy and baklava. Traveling gave Richard the opportunity to hone his photography skills, which was another of his passions. He maintained a darkroom in his home garage for many years. His favorite subjects to photograph were portraits of his sons; the candid, local street culture found on his travels; and nature shots, such as snowscapes. Richard was also known for his love of chess, gardening, and watching sports. He took great pride in cultivating a robust garden filled with flowers and produce. Having played baseball as a child, Richard remained a big fan of the sport, along with football and basketball, and truly appreciated the beauty of a “perfect play.”
Richard is survived by his sister, Deborah Levin-Alastra; his sons, Daniel (Kim) and Samuel (Rachel), and their mother, Jessica; two grandchildren, Ansel and Noah; and two nieces and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy; father, Max; and sister, Claudia Andrews.
A lover of the ocean, Richard chose to be placed to rest at sea. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Operation Smile or Doctors without Borders, causes that Richard found particularly moving in his lifetime.
August 22, 1943 – June 7, 2021
Encinitas resident Richard Bruce Levin, age 77, passed away peacefully of respiratory failure on June 7, 2021. Young at heart and always determined to live on his own terms, Richard was driven by a strong desire to help others and save lives. He was a compassionate physician who frequently offered impromptu consults, free of charge, to people he met in his community who had health concerns. He had a keen intuition for detecting conditions that otherwise would have gone unnoticed. One of his proudest achievements was diagnosing thyroid cancer in one of his own relatives and recommending alternative treatments that successfully shrank the tumor, reducing the amount of invasive care needed to remove it. A lifelong student of science, he also secured a patent for a biofeedback device to alert drivers and pilots to drowsiness – similar to the “driver assist” technology found in many vehicles today.
Richard was born on August 22, 1943 to Max and Dorothy (née Gillman) Levin in San Francisco, CA. His father was a psychologist and university administrator, and his mother was a clinical social worker and licensed therapist. Richard studied biology as an undergraduate at Stanford, graduating in 1965. After beginning graduate school to conduct neurological research at UCLA, he decided to return to Stanford to pursue a medical degree, graduating in 1973. Richard completed his training as a physician in Salinas, California at the United Farm Workers clinic and went on to practice Family Medicine for more than 30 years in a variety of locations, including Camp Pendleton, San Diego State University, and his own private practice in Encinitas.
In 1979, Richard married Jessica Fuhrman, with whom he went on to have two sons – Daniel, a benefits manager, and Samuel, an optometrist. Richard was very proud of both his sons and delighted in seeing all that they had achieved. He particularly enjoyed spending time with them as children on his boat in San Diego.
As an enthusiastic seeker of knowledge, Richard developed a great appreciation for other cultures during trips to Mexico, Europe, and Israel. He often spent afternoons in little cafes meeting the locals, while enjoying a brandy and baklava. Traveling gave Richard the opportunity to hone his photography skills, which was another of his passions. He maintained a darkroom in his home garage for many years. His favorite subjects to photograph were portraits of his sons; the candid, local street culture found on his travels; and nature shots, such as snowscapes. Richard was also known for his love of chess, gardening, and watching sports. He took great pride in cultivating a robust garden filled with flowers and produce. Having played baseball as a child, Richard remained a big fan of the sport, along with football and basketball, and truly appreciated the beauty of a “perfect play.”
Richard is survived by his sister, Deborah Levin-Alastra; his sons, Daniel (Kim) and Samuel (Rachel), and their mother, Jessica; two grandchildren, Ansel and Noah; and two nieces and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy; father, Max; and sister, Claudia Andrews.
A lover of the ocean, Richard chose to be placed to rest at sea. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Operation Smile or Doctors without Borders, causes that Richard found particularly moving in his lifetime.