David J. Levitch

October 27, 1930 - February 16, 2016

David J. Levitch Obituary (Age 85) Spokane native, passed away on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at the Touchmark Skilled Nursing Center with family members by his side. Funeral Service will be held at Heritage Funeral Chapel Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 2 pm with burial and graveside services to follow at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Rabbi Tamar Malino will officiate. David long battled dementia and most recently pneumonia. He leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Frieda N. J. (Endelman) Levitch and his four children: Linda Levitch (Andrew Olshan), Carrboro, NC, Sheri Levitch, Spokane, Mark Levitch (Laura), Pleasanton, CA and Randy Levitch, also of Pleasanton. The longtime Spokane businessman and civic booster is also survived by his six grandchildren: Daniel Olshan, James Olshan, Cassidy Levitch, Nina Levitch, Rex Levitch and Judd Levitch.The younger of two sons sharing birthdays exactly five years apart, David was born in Spokane on October 27, 1930 to Meyer and Rose (Markowitz) Levitch. He attended Wilson School, where he met his future wife. After graduating from Lewis and Clark High School, where he and Frieda were high school sweethearts, he went on to receive a business degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. There he was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity and the ROTC. David and Frieda were married in 1953 and after honeymooning in Hawaii they moved to New York where David earned a Master's degree in Marketing from New York University. After graduating, he served for two years as a second lieutenant in the Air Force, stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. His dream of becoming a pilot was soon derailed due to motion sickness, he instead became one of the managers of the base exchange and also worked as a military mortuary officer. Following active duty, David was part of the Air Force Reserves for many years. The Levitchs returned to Spokane in 1956 where David joined the family business with his father, Uncle Abe Levitch, cousin David A. Levitch and older brother Harry (who all preceded him). Liberty Furniture was housed in the Liberty Building at Main and Washington, which now houses a bookstore, offices and other retail. It was the two brothers' idea to rename the building and add the patriotic decorative mural on the west-facing wall. Liberty Furniture operated as a family business for more than 75 years and at one point, there were several branches of the store in Spokane and Richland, WA. David served as President and General Manager, while his brother Harry, an attorney, acted as Office and Accounts Manager. Land development in Spokane and the surrounding area were business pursuits David enjoyed after closing the furniture store. A gifted athlete, David played baseball, tennis, handball, racquetball, bowled and was a golfer well into his 80s. He was especially proud of his two holes-in-one made at the Spokane Country Club. While on active duty with the Air Force, he was an award-winning tennis player. The Levitchs traveled widely for business and in retirement, he finally was able to take his dream trip to England to see the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament. David was active in many business and religious organizations, including AZA during his youth and then serving on the regional council of B'nai B'rith's Anti-Defamation League for several decades. He was also a lifelong member of Temple Beth Shalom and past president of the Temple's Men's Club. His other volunteer work included serving on Spokane's Transit Commission, the Spokane Chamber of Commerce, the Forum Club, and the Furniture Guild. He was a past president of the Spokane Club, a member of both the Spokane and national Wine and Food Society and golfed for over 30 years at the Spokane Country Club, where he had also served on the Board. There is consensus among his friends and family that David was a master story and joke-teller. Without embellishment, but with an eye for exquisite detail, his stories and jokes were legion. He long held an interest in politics, sports at all levels, and reading. He especially enjoyed following the up and down fortunes of the UW, Gonzaga and WSU sports teams. Also mourning David's passing are his niece and nephew Adele and Bruce (Lily) Levitch, cousins Harold (Arlene) Levitch and Ken (Nancy) Wiener, and many, many friends who buoyed him and his family, with their visits and loving support during his illness. The family wishes to acknowledge Hospice of Spokane, Jewish Family Services, Touchmark and Dr. Michael Hixson for their efforts during David's illness. They especially want to acknowledge and thank family friends Jorgeanne Herron, Roy Jackson and Steve Brauner for their compassion, love and help during these last difficult months. Most especially, thanks go to his daughter Sheri, who returned to Spokane to be her father's caregiver, enabling him to stay in his home for as long as possible. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Temple Beth Shalom, the Humane Society (in memory of the many four-legged furry friends he loved) or the charity of your choice.