Brian Walter Leventhal

Brian Walter Leventhal was born in Chicago on April 22nd, 1961, to Joan and Walter Leventhal. He was the middle child, with an older sister, Laurie, and younger brother, Steve. Brian attended the De Witt Clinton School and graduated from Stephen Tyng Mather High School in 1979. He graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1983 with a degree in accountancy. Brian went on to earn an MBA from Northern Illinois University in 1987.

Brian and his siblings started attending Camp Chi, a Jewish overnight summer camp, in the 1970s. Brian became a counselor and unit head at Camp Chi and was described by a friend as “a Camp Chi legend!” His larger-than-life personality encouraged teenagers to come out of their shells and make the most of their camp experience.

Brian and Marcia Leventhal met while both working at Camp Chi and were married in 1992. Brian adopted Marcia’s three children from her first marriage, Áine, Seán and Eamonn Casey, and raised them as his own. The family welcomed Brian and Marcia’s son Michael Leventhal into the world in 1994. Brian was a devoted father who taught his children to value education, be true to themselves, step out of their comfort zones and have fun. One of Michael’s earliest memories is being with his father, learning to read from flashcards.

Brian was always a kid at heart. He loved bowling, backgammon, skiing, and amusement parks. He bought vintage arcade games “for his kids,” but could be caught playing them himself from time to time. Brian loved candy and “Affy Tapple” caramel apples. It was not uncommon for Brian to strike up lively conversations with friends and strangers alike. Brian will be remembered for his sense of humor. His friend Wendy says, “When he laughed, his whole face squinted and his body bounced up and down.”

Brian taught accounting for many years at the University of Illinois at Chicago. One of his former students shared, “I will attribute much of my future success in accounting to Prof. Leventhal’s instruction; most of the UIC students that passed the CPA exam are also in his debt!”

Brian passed away on February 1st, 2024 after a long illness. He was 62 years old. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his daughter Áine Casey, son Seán Casey, son Michael Leventhal (Maddie Maranto), brother Steve Leventhal (Amy Jacobs), and sister Laurie Hansen. Brian is also survived by his former wife, Marcia Leventhal, former brother-in-law Dan Spangenberg and sister-in-law Elaine Spangenberg, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Joan and Walter Leventhal, his son Eamonn Casey, mother-in-law Anne Gallagher Spangenberg, father-in-law Roland Spangenberg, brother-in-law Glenn Hansen, brother-in-law Bill Spangenberg, sister-in-law Sharon Spangenberg and niece Charlotte Spangenberg.

Private services were held.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Brian’s name to the Camp Chi - Ron Levin Summers of Tomorrow Scholarship Fund (giving.jccchicago.org/donatechi) or to Chicago HOPES for Kids (chicagohopesforkids.org/donate).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WeinsteinFuneralHomes.com for the Leventhal family.