Harry Litwin
Litwin, Harry, 99, retired President of Litwin Corporation and Philanthropist, died Friday, February 23, 2007. Although born in London, England, Harry came to K.C. as an infant. After receiving his degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois, he moved to Wichita in 1930. His 70+ years in Wichita were devoted to the arts, his family and his faith. He will be missed by all. Service 1:00 P.M., Sunday, February 25, Hebrew Congregation. Survivors: sister, Esther LeVine of Wichita, KS; nephews (Velva) and Fred Levine of Houston and (Bonnie) and Herb Levine of Phoenix, AZ; niece, Darlene Lorie of Wichita; 8 great-nieces and nephews and many great-great-nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with the WSU Endowment Foundation, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS, 67260 and Music Theatre of Wichita, 225 W. Douglas, S-202, Wichita, KS, 67202. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Good evening, family of Mr. Litwin. Although I’ve never met any of you, I would like to express condolences and share the story of my experience knowing Harry. I hope this tribute gives you joy knowing he touched more lives than you can even imagine. I spent my college summers and Christmas vacations working as a server at Yia Yia’s Eurobiestro in Bradley Fair. Harry chanced to sit at my table on very slow Monday afternoon in the summer of 2001. We had an interesting conversation about the history of Wichita, and I think we both knew immediately we’d found a like-minded soul (albeit the 70 year age gap between us). Each Monday for the rest of that summer and into the fall, Harry came to Yia Yia’s to sit at one of my tables. His standing order was the lunch special and a glass of compatible wine. We talked about many things, but of course, Harry talked about his art collection. He was selling many pieces from his private collection at Christie’s that summer, so he’d tell me about the various paintings and where he’d acquired them. After a few months, he began coming in towards the end of lunch so I wouldn’t be as busy. After I was finished with my other tables, I would sit with Harry and we’d converse at length. We both enjoyed talking about health and vitamins–I can’t imagine how dull others would have thought our conversations were! He made me feel interesting and very valued. As a server in a nice restaurant, I was often treated with disdain and dismissiveness by my customers. It was so refresing to have Harry ask me about my education and my life. I’m sure our friendship must have seemed quite peculiar to those on the outside looking in–but it was very fulfilling for both of us. I left Wichita in September for a year of volunteer work with AmeriCorps NCCC, then stayed on the East Coast to begin my life as an ‘adult.’ Harry and I corresponded occasionally, and we always exchanged Christmas cards. I loved the fact that he included a list of vitamins that he’d been taking to stay healthy and strong. For the past few years I hadn’t kept up with him because I moved for graduate school. I recently got married and was planning to reconnect with Harry when I returned home to visit this May. I never really told him how much I enjoyed his companionship and friendship that summer, and I was looking forward to introducing him to my husband. My mother sent me the article from the Eagle, saying she knew I’d want to know my friend had passed away. Although I knew him only a few short years, the friendship we formed over conversations at lunch will stay in my heart permanently. As many have said, he was a remarkable man. To me, he was a like-minded soul and a cherished friend.
My sincere condolences to family and friends of Mr. Litwin. It has been my great privilege to have the opportunity to speak with Mr. Litwin over the past several months. Harry was ever so kind and gracious, and spoke no ill of others. He was always cheerful and in good spirits, a true gentlemen. I will miss him dearly. Respectfully, John Ashton
I worked at Litwin engineering in Wichita for many years.Mr. Litwin was a quiet man that We respected very much because he first respected everyone in his employ.Those of us that remained here in Wichita would get together on occasion and talk about the good old days working for ‘Harry’.We will miss him.
Dear Friends and Family of Harry Litwin: Let me tell you how sad I was to learn of Mr. Litwin’s death. He was truly a remarkable, warm and genuine man. My first exposure to him was in the l970’s as a newly married woman. He was a friend and associate of my spouse’s family. He had a guiet warmth and sincerity that separated him from most others. He also possessed a glint and twinkle in his eye that could make you wonder what was going on in that inquisitive mind of his. He was a faceted man who will be so missed by the community and those who knew him well. However, the impact he left on his community and those who loved him, will endure for centuries. Know that each of you are in my thoughts and prayers. Fondly, jinx
I was shocked to read that my mentor and friend Harry had passed away. I will miss him dearly. Nat Kannan
Six years ago I moved to Wichita to teach art history at Wichita State University and within weeks met Harry at a party at the Ulrich Museum of Art. We had both attended the University of Illinois and obviously had a love of art in common – we talked for almost an hour and his graciousness, intellectual spark and unique engineer’s humor made me feel at home. He will be missed.