Obituary of Sanford H. Levine

Sanford H. Levine, 71, an attorney, died at home in Niskayuna on Nov. 18, 2009 of pancreatic cancer. Mr. Levine, son of the late Louis and Reba Levine, was born in Troy, NY in 1938. He earned his Bachelor's degree in political science and Juris Doctor degree from Syracuse University in an accelerated six year program, and was an editor of the law review. He was admitted to the New York Bar at the age of 23. He was also admitted later to practice before all U.S. District Courts for the State of New York, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served on active duty during the Berlin crisis in 1961-62. From 1962-66 he served as Law Clerk to Judge Sydney F. Foster of the New York Court of Appeals and Supreme Court and to Judge Francis Bergan of the New York Court of Appeals. In 1966 he joined the legal staff of the Temporary State Commission to prepare for the Constitutional Convention. He then embarked on a 40-year career devoted to the State University of New York. Mr. Levine joined the University Counsel's office as Associate Counsel in 1967, became Deputy Counsel in 1970, and served as University Counsel and Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs from 1978-97. He developed a reputation for integrity and intelligence that enhanced his ability to bring together disparate points of view. He worked with presidents of the 64 SUNY campuses, the Board of Trustees, the Governor's Office, and state and federal agencies to develop policies governing all major aspects of university life. During his tenure, he was instrumental in shaping case law on key higher education issues in the New York and federal courts. When he left the Counsel's Office, the law library he had meticulously maintained was designated the Sanford H. Levine Law Library in his honor. Mr. Levine was the recipient of many honors and awards at both the local and national levels. His colleagues representing campuses throughout the United States elected him president of the National Association of College and University Attorneys in 1986-87. In an acceptance speech, he expressed his gratitude for a legal career in public higher education that "combined a love of the law with a love of the client." The organization awarded him life membership, citing his "lifetime of dedication and service to the profession of law and higher education." In addition, the Empire State Capital Area Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration presented him with the 1997 Governor Alfred E. Smith Award for "highest professional standards of public administration." Mr. Levine was a member the American Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, Albany County Bar Association and other professional groups. He was a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, Life Fellow of the New York State Bar foundation and a Fellow of the State Academy for Public Administration. He has served continuously for 35 years on the advisory committee of the Paralegal Program of Schenectady County Community College. In 1997, Mr. Levine shifted his focus from State University governance to full-time teaching. Having taught graduate students for many years as an adjunct professor at the University at Albany, as well as law students at the University at Buffalo, he became a Professor at Albany in the School of Education's Department of Educational Administration and Policy Studies. On retirement in 2007 he returned to adjunct status and continued his affiliation with the department until his death. During a career spanning four of the State University's six decades of existence as a system, Mr. Levine became known as a student of the institution's development into the largest system of higher education in the United States. As an active participant in much of its history, he was able to provide a contextual understanding of past policies and actions to illuminate debate on current issues. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Margaret, and two devoted daughters, Jessica (Eric) DeHaemer of Shrewsbury, Mass. and Abby (Ran) Shallom of Jersey City, New Jersey. He also leaves two cherished granddaughters, Rachel and Leah DeHaemer, and his beloved sister, Janet L. Schiff of Miami Beach, Florida. Funeral services will be held Sun., Nov. 22 at 10 a.m.at Congregation Gates of Heaven, 852 Ashmore Ave., Schenectady, where he was a long time member. Interment will follow in the Beth Tephilah cemetery on Spring Avenue in Troy, where his grandfather had been a founder of Beth Tephilah synagogue. Family and friends are invited to the service and interment and may call at the residence, 1106 Godfrey Lane, Niskayuna after interment or during a period of mourning to be observed at 6:45 p.m on Monday and Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Gates of Heaven, 852 Ashmore Ave., Schenectady, NY 12309 or to the charity of one's choice.