Victor "Vic" Levine

Vic Levine passed away on October 18, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Vic’s best friend was Judy, his wife and life partner. Their children, daughter Bekah, her husband Chris Lugo and daughters Ana and Eva; and son Adam, his wife Jen and their children Stella and Frank all live in San Diego.

Vic was born in New Jersey, the youngest of four children of Hilda and Philip Levine; he was preceded in death by his brother Paul and is survived by his sister Patti Klein and his brother Mark. Vic majored in math at Trinity College and moved to Madison to pursue a graduate degree in mathematics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He joined the faculty at Madison Memorial High School in 1972. He was deeply involved with the College Board’s Advanced Placement in Mathematics program, giving seminars in teaching and serving as a grader, table leader and question leader for the AP Calculus examinations. His teaching skills were recognized through multiple national and local mathematics teaching awards. 

Vic fell in love with hockey in his early years and became a lifelong enthusiast and player, skating in the Madison Senior League into the last year of his life. He became Memorial’s assistant hockey coach shortly after joining the school, and head coach in 1977. Over his 29 years as head coach Memorial went to the state tournament 22 times, won the state championship six times and never had a losing season. Vic’s career coaching record stands at an astounding 512-144-20. His coaching career was recognized with an induction into the Madison Sports Hall of Fame, Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and with the American Hockey Coaches Association’s John Mariucci award for contributions to high school hockey.

As both a teacher and a coach, Vic was a patient and positive force. Scores of teens learned from his explanations of complex formulas and groaned and chuckled at his puns. Vic was also an avid golfer and followed many sports, attending scores of Badger, Packer, and Brewers games.

Despite a terrible diagnosis six months ago at age 75, Vic was living life to its fullest until just a few days ago. 

A service will be held at 10:30 am, Monday, October 23, at Temple Beth El in Madison. A celebration of life will follow at noon at Dahmen’s at Hawks Landing in Verona.

A fund is being established in Vic’s name to advance opportunities in skating and hockey for the disadvantaged, disabled and underprivileged. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Vic Levine Fund, c/o Madison Ice, Inc., 725 Forward Dr., Madison, WI 53711.