Steven Joel Levitz

Steven was born February 28, 1951, to Freida and Herbert Levitz in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Queens College in 1973 with a B.A. in Biology. He also attended graduate school at Queens College.

Steven’s uncle, the late Joseph Levitz, DPM (’39) introduced his nephew to podiatry and to the former President of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, Dr. Herman Sonderling. In 1974, Steven passed the Podiatry Boards and entered the school in 1975.

Steven graduated from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in 1979. He served a one-year surgical residency followed by a fellowship in orthopedics and pediatrics. He learned how to manufacture and adjust foot orthoses. He worked at the Foot Clinics of New York from July 1980 – July 1981. He loved evaluating patients and training students.

In 1981, Steven opened a private podiatry practice in Ridgewood, Queens. He loved treating patients and helping others. Over the last 43 years most of his patients became good friends. That is just who Steven was, dedicated and kind. In addition to opening his practice, he also opened a laboratory where he fabricated custom fit orthotics for many patients and eventually other podiatrists. This led him to open an orthotics lab with Dr. James DeFrancisco. In 1989, STJ Orthotics was born and for more than 4 decades, Steven would demonstrate his hard-working, tireless commitment and unmatched work ethic to helping others and making his mark on communities and eventually history.

Steven was a loving and dedicated father, friend and teacher. He will be sadly missed and will always hold a special place in our hearts. Steven is survived by his daughter Nicole A. Heath of Naples, FL and his former wife Karen L. Levitz of Naples, FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the New York College of Podiatric Medicine for a scholarship in the name of Dr. Steven J. Levitz. Please make checks payable to the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. In the memo line, please write Dr. Steven Levitz Scholarship. All checks should be mailed to Nicole A. Heath, 1020 Peggy Circle, Unit 101, Naples, Fl 34113.

A memorial service for Steven will be held Friday, June 30, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Sinai Chapels, 114-03 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375. A remembrance gathering to immediately follow.