Levin Family History
 Sam Levin -- Our Benefactor
His Vision. Our Mission.
The story of Sam Levin is both
ordinary and extraordinary. It is
a rags to riches story. A story about a born entrepreneur
who could recognize trends before everyone else and jump
on the bandwagon while it was still empty and ride it
to success.
Read Sam's amazing story and if you are a Dayton native, take a
trip back memory lane and see how Sam Levin may have
touched your life personally.
Refugee Roots in Russia and Lithuania
Sam and His Siblings
Sam the Entrepreneur
The Drive Behind the Man
The Idea Behind a Charitable Trust
Refugee Roots in Russia and Lithuania
Sam Levin was the 2nd oldest of
five children -- all born in the
United States to Morris and Molly Levin, who immigrated
to the United States from Russia and Lithuania, respectively.
 Morris and
Molly fled anti-semitic Eastern Europe during the 1890's
in the time of the "Pagram" when Russia's government turned
their backs as Jewish families were booted from their
homes and their land and possessions given to others.
To escape, Morris Levin had to hide in a hay wagon, in
great peril, to avoid capture by the Russian troops.
By trade, Morris Levin was a tinsmith who
worked in the heating and roofing industry. He crafted
hand-made duct work and hand welded tin on roofs. Morris is described
by family members as having a passive nature. This was balanced
by Molly, a deeply religious woman with a dominant personality.
Sam and His Siblings
Sam's brother Dave, the oldest, was
a rebellious spirit in the early years -- living a hobo's
life hopping trains and seeing the world. He later settled
down and started a tax business called Levin Tax Service
that is still in business today. Dave is no longer living.
Sam, the founder of what
came to be known as the Levin Family Foundation, came
next, born in Columbus Ohio in 1911. Sam died in Dayton Ohio in
1995 at the age of 83.
Mardelle, the middle child, was
the only girl. She is still living.
Lou and Al, identical twins, were
born in 1925. They too are still living and currently
serving board
positions with the Levin Family Foundation. Both played
a major role in Sam's life.
Sam the Entrepreneur
Sam Levin started out as an attorney. He
got his law degree from The Ohio State University but
only practiced for a few years -- choosing the riskier
and more exciting world of business.
Not all ventures
were successful, but many more so than not. Many played
a major role in the everyday lives of Dayton natives.
In 1943, Sam started his first
business -- a wine store on Third
St. in Dayton Ohio. That was in the day when you could
not buy booze in grocery stores. Sam and his older
brother Dave were partners in this venture. The twins,
Lou and Al, did not play a role in Sam's life at this
point because they were serving in the Army, stationed
in Okinawa during World War II.
Sam later purchased some old farm
land and constructed a drive-in
theater and trailer park that Dayton natives will recognize
as the Sherwood Twin Drive-In.
Always forward thinking, Sam
got wind of a game of chance called "Plinko".
It was a numbers game, similar to the lottery that we
play today, that you could play while sitting in your
car waiting for the movie to start at the drive-in. This
was quite successful.
On the other hand, Sam tried car insurance and almost lost his
shirt.
A string of other business ventures
followed, including:
- The 49er (a successful fast-food restaurant like Arby's
on Airway Rd.)
- The Rhino (a Polynesian themed restaurant
in downtown Dayton that failed miserably).
 In 1964, Sam, thinking he could improve on the quality of the movies
he was showing at his theaters, wrote a movie called "Girls
on the Beach" which is still running
today due to its cult popularity in a niche
genre market.
He and his brother Al had minor roles in
the film, playing beauty contest judges. It had some
big names such as Leslie Gore, The Beach Boys, and the
Crickets. The movie was shot in two weeks for a budget
of $50,000. It was later sold for $250,000.
All tolled, Sam's movie theater
empire consisted of 17 theaters in
the Dayton Ohio area -- 13 drive-ins and 4 in-house.
If you are a Dayton native, you will certainly recognize
the names of:
- Kon Tiki on Salem Ave.
- Cook Theater on Main St.
Interestingly, the start of the
end for Sam's theaters involved
a series of events:
- the creation of VHS & Beta
- Cable & HBO
- and even something as inocuous
as Daylight Savings Time, which was implemented in
the 1970's.
Because of Daylight Savings Time, it didn't
get dark enough in Dayton (located on the western-most
border of the Eastern time zone) to start the movies at the drive-in
until 9:50 pm.
Sam's biggest financial success came
when he was in his 60's and 70's dealing in commodities
futures -- soy beans, pork bellies. He was decisive --
reacting nimbly to the market and capitalizing on it.
The Drive Behind the Man
Sam was fearless. His work
ethic was unparalled. He lived humbly so the thought
of losing money would not have hurt his lifestyle very
much.
He was always thinking about the most strategic/tactical
way to proceed.
He didn't let the lack of money
keep him from achieving his dreams. He would build something
on a shoe string -- thinking of cheap and easy ways to
get things done. Each time, he learned from his mistakes
and made improvements -- Never making the same mistake
twice
The Idea of a Charitable Trust
Sam grew up poor. He liked
to think that he did his part to eliminate the suffering
of others less fortunate. He helped through his synagogue and Jewish
causes.
Before Sam's death, he set up a
legal entity that would be funded
on his passing. It has no name other than the Sam Levin
Trust. It had no particular mission in mind. That was
to be left up to his family.
Throughout his life, Sam had the
ability to affect outcomes. Yet,
it wasn't until after his death that his impact on the
community realized its greatest potential through his
legacy -- The Levin Family
Foundation. |
