November 17, 1947 – July 9, 2019
Longtime community activist and committed volunteer Clif Levin died July 9. He was 71.
Levin grew up just outside of Detroit in Oak Park and graduated from Oak Park High School in 1965. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology from Wayne State University and finished WSU's law school in 1972.
Levin joined Wayne County Friend of the Court as a staff attorney in 1973. He would work his way up to senior staff attorney during his tenure and he remained with the agency for 30 years.
Even while working long hours at his job, Levin became a tireless volunteer working for causes he believed in. He volunteered for Detroit Public Television, the Detroit Zoo and the Detroit Institute of Arts among others.
"He was such a quintessential volunteer," said friend Peter Terence Milne in an online tribute.
"Always there, always encouraging others and always ready to step in and help."
Levin also had a love of theater and was involved for many years with the Grosse Pointe Theatre both as an actor and behind the scenes.
"As I have read the posts from my other theater friends who knew him, several of us said, 'He was in my first show,'" said Elizabeth Perkin McQuillen on Facebook. "He was in mine as well. So calming, so encouraging and wickedly funny."
Levin was also involved in LGBTQ causes. He was an early member of the Triangle Foundation and sat on its board for several years. He also served as board president of the Detroit Together Men's Chorus.
"Clif was an integral part of the DTMC family for 20 years as a friend, volunteer and officer," said a statement released by the Chorus. "We'll greatly miss his smile, his support and his friendship."
As new of his passing spread, friends took to Facebook to remember Levin.
"Clif was a decades-long servant to the community as a leader with the Triangle Foundation as well as a relentless volunteer," said Agustin V. Arbulu, director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. "His energy and passion and quiet leadership through action will be missed."
