Allen W. Lebovitz, Equity Realty partner, dies at 82
Allen W. Lebovitz was constantly moving.
Whether it was helping other people do it, through his work at Equity Realty, or his daily walks through Frick Park at dawn, or family trips around the world, he kept busy.
Lebovitz, of Squirrel Hill, died Wednesday, Oct. 6, in West Penn Hospital at the age of 82.
Born in 1928, Lebovitz grew up in Pitcairn before moving to Squirrel Hill with his parents Julius and Grace Friedman Lebovitz. During the Korean War, he was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, but was never deployed.
“He used to joke around and say he fought the Koreans in Texas,” said his son Jeff, also of Squirrel Hill.
It was in Texas that he met his wife Beverly, who was working as a nurse, when the two were set up on a blind date. The two returned to Pittsburgh after Lebovitz was discharged.
“This was his home,” Beverly said.
The couple was married for 57 years and had two children, Jeff and Dr. Paul Lebovitz. The family spent vacations in places like Israel and Japan, and many Shabbats and holidays at their synagogue Beth Shalom, where they were congregants for over 40 years.
As a father, Lebovitz was a “terrific role model. He was very patient, very laid back. And he played any kind of sports with the boys,” said Beverly.
Jeff recalled playing basketball in front of their house with his father.
“He was really a trooper,” he said. “He was willing to try anything.”
Though he dabbled in several different businesses, Lebovitz made his name as a partner with real estate firm Equity Realty in Squirrel Hill. There he was able to put his accepting, positive demeanor to work finding people new homes.
“He was always willing to find the good in just about everybody. Whatever the spark was in someone, he’d seem to find it,” said Jeff. “He was also willing to forgive and forget. He never held much of a grudge against anybody.”
His open personality allowed for many of his clients to become much more than that.
“He became friendly with the people he did business with. It became very personal for him,” said Jeff.
Lebovitz was also devoted to his animals; he and Beverly owned five dogs over the years, including Zoe, who he would walk in Frick Park every morning at 6 a.m.
“He loved it. That was probably the highlight of his day,” said Beverly. “The sicker he got, the more determined he was to go.”
Lebovitz is survived by Beverly, Jeff and Paul, as well as his older sister Claire and one grandchild, Sean Lebovitz.
He was buried Friday, Oct. 8, in Beth Shalom Cemetery in Millvale. Funeral arrangements were made by Ralph Schugar Chapel.
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