Albert “Bert” Levy died at home last week after suffering a seizure. Bert was born in San Francisco on Dec. 2, 1973. He grew up in San Rafael and attended Brandeis Hillel Day School and Marin Academy. He graduated from Terra Linda High School, was a graduate of San Francisco State University and attended law school at University of San Francisco.
On Feb. 23, 2001, Bert was struck by a speeding car while walking with his sister, Ruth, and close friend Elie Israel in Isla Vista, California. This event claimed the lives of Ruthie and Elie. Bert survived, and sustained injuries to his legs and brain. The brain injury caused him to have many seizures throughout the ensuing years.
Post-injury, Bert sold mushrooms at a farmers market, cared for his young brother Cameron and, most recently, enjoyed working at his father’s law office where he was a valuable asset to Arthur’s legal practice. Bert followed the worlds of politics and current events closely. He was also an avid Bay Area sports fan, and was especially enthusiastic about the Raiders and the A’s. He owned an extensive collection of baseball caps.
Bert will be deeply missed by his parents, Arthur Levy and Shary Levy, his stepmother Anais Levy, his mother’s partner Marv Sternberg, his brother Cameron Levy, his grandmother June Levy, his aunts and uncles David and Louise Levy, Joe Levy, Bruce and Sherry Ziegman, and Rick and Bev Gold, along with cousins Amy (Bryan) Lankenau and son Aaron, Katie Craig and children Alyssa and Daniel, Marc and Nathan Levy, and Lauren Gold. He also leaves great-aunts Sue Levy and Annie (Sam) Shulman, great-uncle Arthur Inerfield and many other family members. His loyal friends Chris Kelly and Matt Whitman will miss him very much.
Bert was predeceased by his sister, Ruth, his grandparents Ruth and Albert Levy and Anne and Dr. Aaron Ziegman, and his devoted friend Elie Israel.
Donations in Bert’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice.
Sinai Memorial Chapel (415) 921-3636
Werner Lewin
A prominent, longtime San Franciscan and world-renowned hotelier passed away on Oct. 20, 2016, in San Francisco, at the age of 95.
Werner Lewin was born in Potsdam, Germany, on Oct. 9, 1921, to David and Edith Lewin. In Germany, Werner’s family owned a clothing business and enjoyed a comfortable life, which changed with the rise of the Nazi party. As friends and family disappeared, Werner’s father realized the danger for his family and sought the help of friends. During the death and destruction of Kristallnacht in 1938, the German heavyweight world champion boxer Max Schmeling shielded Werner and his younger brother, Henri, in his suite at the Excelsior Hotel in Berlin. Werner’s parents decided to leave Germany, and the family traveled to Genoa, Italy, to board a ship. After a difficult trip, the Lewin family, along with thousands of other Jewish refugees, arrived in Shanghai, China.
Although life in the ghettos of Shanghai was difficult, the Lewin brothers worked hard. They operated a bicycle shop during the day and learned the hospitality industry at night, working in hotels, restaurants and casinos in Shanghai’s famous red-light district. After eight years in Shanghai, Werner and his family were ready to start a new life and relocated to San Francisco.
After arriving in San Francisco, the Lewin brothers used what little money their family had to rent suits, and applied for busboy jobs at the Fairmont Hotel. They soon advanced to waiters and then to head waiter positions in order to pursue management status. Eventually, the Lewin brothers were named head of the Fairmont’s Sales and Food and Beverage Department.
Their skills and hard work gained the attention of the famous hotelier Conrad Hilton, who approached Werner and his brother about working for him when he decided to build his own hotel, the San Francisco Hilton. Leaving the Fairmont after 17 years was a difficult decision, but it turned out to be the best move that Werner and his brother ever made.
Werner and Henri began in sales and catering at the San Francisco Hilton and were both promoted to the position of hotel manager within a year. Werner’s primary responsibility was to fill the rooms of the largest hotel in San Francisco on a daily basis. Werner soon had the hotel and its restaurants running like well-oiled machines.
Werner’s warm, friendly and caring personality was his trademark. He had an open-door policy with the hotel’s employees and always found time to listen and help a person in need. Werner was dedicated to and loved the hospitality industry, usually working seven days a week from early in the morning until late at night.
As general manager of the San Francisco Hilton, Werner’s reputation grew, and he regularly traveled abroad with other prominent San Franciscans and members of the San Francisco Convention Bureau to promote San Francisco and attract business and tourism. Mr. Hilton later promoted Werner and his brother to senior level positions in charge of Hilton’s Western division.
Werner eventually retired at the age of 65 and spent the next 30 years of his life enjoying his family, traveling around the world and enjoying his home on Marin County’s beautiful Belvedere Lagoon.
Werner leaves behind his beloved and supportive wife, friend and life-long companion of 63 years, Libby, his son, Werner S. Lewin Jr. (wife Yolanda), son Michael L. Lewin (wife Jamie), daughter Lydia (husband Helmut), son David L. Lewin (wife Simmone), daughter Lysa (husband Robbie) and 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved brother Henri.
Funeral services were held at Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco, with interment at Eternal Home Cemetery in Colma. The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation, 55 Hawthorne St., Suite 800, San Francisco, CA 94105.
Sinai Memorial Chapel (415) 921-3636
Ursula Philippi was born in Berlin, Germany, on Oct. 21, 1926, immigrated to Chile in 1939 and then the United States in 1964, and died in Burlingame on Oct. 17, 2016.
She is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 70 years, Hans Philippi, and her children Peter (Joyce) Philippi, Adriana (Steven) Finnie and Gabriela Coppedge, eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Services were held at Home of Peace Cemetery in Colma. Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Sinai Memorial Chapel (650) 369-3636