NORFOLK – Harold Levenson, 83, passed away after contracting COVID.
He was better known as Hal and can best be remembered by his booming presence – his mind and stature overwhelmed a room. He loved having challenging conversations as well as listening to music of all kinds and playing his banjo.
Born in West Springfield, Mass., Hal was a basketball star in high school and elected president of the student body. He attended Dartmouth College and Syracuse University, where he earned a master’s degree in journalism.
During his 25-year career in broadcast journalism, Hal worked for WABC-TV in New York City, as a copy boy and then as a writer. From there, he moved to WNBC-TV as a writer, and he produced two weekly TV interview shows called Direct Line and Searchlight. As an investigative reporter at WCBS-TV, he made news documentaries; he assisted the boxer, Rubin Hurricane Carter, in having his murder case reopened. Later, he went to WNET-TV and worked on the TV show, 51st State, before changing jobs again to work as a producer at WNEW-TV. As a news director, Hal moved to Washington D.C. to work for WTTG-TV. His journalism career ended as news director for WAVY-TV.
Hal started a small public relations firm called Levenson Communications. Before ending his career, he worked for Harris Communications, where he received multiple achievement awards for his ability as a salesperson.
Hal is survived by his wife, Elaine. He passed away a week before their 60th wedding anniversary. He is also survived by two children, William Levenson of Portland, Oregon and Emily Levenson–Kurland of Lima, Ohio, and two grandsons, Zachary and Andrew Kurland of Lima. He leaves behind one sister, Judith Juarez, of La Mesa, Calif.