Stephen Joel Levitch of Plano (Dallas), Texas passed away June 5, 2007, at age 60, from heart failure. Stephen's parents, Bette Rose Studna Levitch and Morris Levitch, of Kansas City, Mo., preceded him in death. He is survived by his brother, Jerald Allan Levitch of Prairie Village, Kan.; sister, Leslie Gaye Levitch of Lee's Summit, Mo.; son Justin Philip Levitch of Plano, Texas, and daughter Jennifer Lauren Levitch, of Denton, Texas, and partner Jeannie Favus of Plano, Texas. Born at Research Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., on September 21, 1946, Steve became involved in the performing arts early in life. He participated in and had leading roles in numerous plays and musicals; culminating in a vocal music scholarship to the University of Missouri-Columbia. Continuing to perform lead roles in University Opera Productions & All-School Musicals, he served as both President of the University Singers and Yell-leader Captain of the Cheerleading Squad. Outside the performing arena, Steve served as Music Chairman and President of Missouri Student Activities. A member and Pledge trainer of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, he was elected to membership in Pi Omicron Sigma, QEBH Senior Men's Honor Society, was selected a Savitar Yearbook Pacesetter, and was named to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges. Following graduation, Steve originated the position of Business Manager/Public Relations Director for the Missouri State Retailers' Association in the State Capitol of Jefferson City. His passion for singing led him to New York, where he auditioned for Abraham Kaplan, protege of Leonard Bernstein and then Choral Director of the Julliard School of Music. This professional chorus contracted Steve as a member of the New York City Camerata Chorale, touring the U.S. and Canada. Upon conclusion of the tour, Steve based in Princeton, N.J. while establishing himself as a choral singer in Metropolitan New York and auditioning for Broadway productions. Shortly thereafter, he auditioned for and was hired to relocate to Dallas, Texas as a featured performer at Lincoln Properties' Willow Creek Club. From Dallas, Steve returned home to Kansas City to serve as Public Relations Director/Business Manager for the Kansas City Lyric Theater's Season of 'Opera in English'. He was the coordinator for a newly-formed consortium of professional opera performing companies called O.P.E.R.A. America. Leaving Kansas City once more, Steve and his lifelong friend, Harry Friedman of Omaha, Nebraska drove to Los Angeles and were awarded Emmys for writing for The Hollywood Squares in 1974. In 1979 Steve (and wife Nancy Jeanne nee McCamman) moved to Dallas where he was Vice President of Sales for Professional Travel Planners (PTP). Steve founded his own company, Neighborhood Directories, in 1989, which provided free-to-the-homeowner Annual Directories to select and elite Associations throughout the Dallas, Texas area until 2007. A gravesite service will be held at Mount Carmel Cemetery, 5529 Ditzler, Raytown, Mo., on Friday, June 8, 2007, at noon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be sent in Steve's honor to: University of Missouri, School of Music, 140 Fine Arts Building, Columbia, MO 65211. Please make checks to University of Missouri and include in the memo area: Stephen Levitch Memorial Fund.
Published in Kansas City Star on June 7, 2007