The Chimes

Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Michelle Barry The light Levison's life gave continued at his memorial as family members and friends released balloons in his honor at Bernlohr Stadium. Through "Marc's Thoughts for Today," he encouraged people to reconsider their lives, especially around the holidays. Around Thanksgiving 2004, he said, "So when Thanksgiving comes on Thursday and as you sit down to eat with your family think about all [I] have said to you and give thanks for all you have as you know as I know you can lose [it] in a minute."

The late Marc Levison "was known for traveling around town," according to Jim Bickel, Capital University head football coach.

Indeed, from the the time Levison was first diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, over 21 years ago to his death this year, the Bexley man was never content to stay cooped at home.

Even after ALS robbed Levison of his ability to walk, he could be seen daily zipping up and down East Main Street in his yellow, motorized wheelchair, inspiring the many people he met at his favorite Bexley retreats, like Starbucks or Flavors Eatery. Bernlohr Stadium, home to the Crusaders, was another frequent stop for Levison, who had moved to Bexley with his wife, Eileen, in 1976.

When Levison's children, Brent and Kevin, were young, he would take them to watch the Crusaders practice. He continued to watch Capital football even after his sons had grown and his disease had progressed.

The football team slowly got to know Levison: how he had served in Vietnam with the Navy and how he had worked as an electrician; how he was one of the longest term survivors of ALS and how he had kept his personality even as his body and speech, but not mind, slowly deteriorated.

Then, two years ago, Bickel would mention the Marc Levison 5K Run/Walk for Lou Gehrig's Disease to his team's senior leadership.

"And just with a mention, they picked up the ball and ran with it," Bickel said.

Both Bickel and Levison's older son, Brent, said that this year 90 Capital football players participated, despite the team having arrived home from Adrian College at 2 a.m. the day of the race. Last year, 100 players participated.

The 5K takes place in Bexley the Sunday before Labor Day. The Helping Link Foundation, a non-profit group, organizes the 5K, which has helped the non-profit raise over $170,000. The money goes to the Columbus Children's Research Institute to find a cure for ALS.

Shortly after this year's race, Marc Levison became too weak to go outside. He died Oct. 8 at 63. Bladder cancer, which doctors had treated with chemotherapy, would ultimately claim Levison's life, not ALS.

"To some extent, he beat it," Bickel said.

On Nov. 8, family and friends met for a memorial service at Bernlohr Stadium, where Levison was fittingly referred to as a crusader against ALS.

Marc Levison inspired thousands beyond Capital and Bexley. He kept in touch with his friends and supporters via his e-mails, "Marc's Thoughts for Today." The e-mails often explained his condition and commented on life's true priorities and values.

"That was his voice to the outside world," Eileen Levison said.

Marc Levison had a favorite saying, and it is one that embodies the attitude of a man who lived over 21 years with a disease that kills most people in three to five: "If I were going to give people one clue as to how to achieve true happiness, it would be this: Find something you would die for, and live for that."

Chris Maggio
Editorial staff
cmaggio@capital.edu

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