"Grandpa Dave" began life at the turn of the century in Homestead, Pennsylvania, born to Fannie and Adolph. He had three half-siblings ordained for a pharmacy professional path as well as three sisters, named Della, Jennie, and Lena. He knew Freida from a young age and they were married in 1925. Dave spent years at the Lawrenceville Drug Company before moving to Stanton Heights where all three of his sons were raised and educated.
Dr. Harold Lebovitz (and Janet), Dr. Philip Lebovitz (and Marilyn), and the late Dr. Allen Lebovitz (and Surelle, now in Florida) all grew up in that household and all attended the University of Pittsburgh, graduating in turn with degrees from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. The man who had made a career of dispensing remedies and advice was rewarded with the accomplishments of his own flesh and blood. He worked hard, his family tells me, and he loved being loved! From generation to generation in his mishpacha, he could be heard saying, "That was the most delicious meal you ever made."
His grandchildren are now full adults in their own right, and recall "Grandpa Dave" as a gentle, patient, and private soul. He exhibited a life-long dedication to education, reading all there was to read on stocks or pharmaceuticals. He loved loud phone conversations (maybe a product of aging), and he always got the last word in to Freida: "Yes, dear!"
With eight of his nine grandchildren married, he was privileged to attend the marriage just last May of 1996 of the youngest, Brian, to Rabbi Erica. There is no "measure for measure": in human calculus, but perhaps that was something of a response if not an answer to his son Allen's death twelve years ago. What everyone agrees is that his marriage to Julia Horvitz Lebovitz gave dad a reason to live, as well as a whole new crew of sons and their wives and families. It allows for our closing scene to be a man who loved Wheel of Fortune on TV or eating out at Eat n' Park, preferably surrounded at home or in the restaurant by lots of kids! Add eleven great-grandchildren to nine grand children, you get a lot of kids.
As Dave, Grandpa, Grandpa Dave, our dear departed Dovid ben Avraham HaLevi endured ninety-five years of triumphs and tragedies. Dare we ask for anything more??