Harold P. Levitt ’56

Harold died March 7, 2023, in Laguna Beach, Calif.

He came to Princeton from the Newark (N.J.) Academy, where he worked on the newspaper, participated in drama, and swam on the swimming team. He majored in psychology, joined Dial Lodge, and competed in IAA football, baseball, and volleyball. After graduation, Hal worked for his family chemical business but was attracted to French literature, which led to studying in Paris followed by a Ph.D. at New York University in 1968, where he met his future wife Jahn, a Random House editor.

Hal joined the faculty at California State Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, where he taught for 35 years and served as chairman of the English and Foreign Languages Department while Jahn traveled as a fashion executive and buyer for Federated Department Stores (often accompanied by her husband). Together they raised their son Joshua David. Hal also developed a small practice in Pomona, Calif., as a certified marriage and family therapist. In retirement, they enjoyed their second home steps from the Pacific Ocean as well as their summer Paris pied-a-terre.

Hal is survived by his wife, Jahn; son Joshua and his wife Molly; and grandchildren Reese Fox and Brynn Yael.