Longtime Pacific Palisades resident Elias Lee Leventhal passed away on September 9, just shy of his 89th birthday and seven weeks after the death of his wife of 64 years, Beba. Born on September 19, 1923 in Mlawa, Poland, to Hena Rochel Nisson and Jehuda Leib Lewental, Lee immigrated with his family to Mexico City before World War II and built a new life. He attended Universidad Nacional Aut’noma de Mexico and was the first of his family to graduate from college. In 1947, while visiting New York, he met Beba Epstein, a Holocaust survivor from Vilna. They married in San Antonio on August 5, 1948. In 1949, they moved to Los Angeles, where Lee attended graduate school at USC and received a master’s degree in chemical engineering, leading to a long career in the aerospace/defense industry. In 1964, Lee, Beba and their two young children moved to the Palisades for the ocean views, quality schools and vibrant Jewish community. Always intellectually curious and known for his humanity and liberal-mindedness, Lee’became an active member of the community’and’was a strong and valued contributor to the PLATO Society at UCLA, the Rustic Canyon Bridge Club, the Palisades Coffee Klatch at Mort’s Deli, a Palisades Havurah group and other local organizations. He loved the social opportunities that came with living in the Palisades. Lee was passionate about his family here and around the world, friends, wine, golf, bridge, computers, sports and politics. He is survived by his devoted daughter, Mary of Santa Monica; his son Michael (wife Sharon) of Mar Vista; and grandchildren Noah and Ariel. For information on the upcoming private memorial service, contact Michael Leventhal (michael@mcsquaredlaw.com) or Mary Leventhal at (310) 396-4699. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The PLATO Society of UCLA, 1083 Gayley Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024-1333.
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