Joseph Levine

Joseph Levine, 92, of Allentown, Pa., died March 17, 2012. Born in Nashville, Tenn., he moved in 1927 to Summit and later to Mountainside.

Mr. Levine worked for General Instrument Corporation in Elizabeth and held several patents before founding the Investment Casting Co. in Newark, becoming a pioneer in a new industry. In the early 1950s, he built a new plant in Springfield, where he expanded his operations to employ over 100 people. The Investment Casting Company used the lost wax method to manufacture metal parts out of diverse alloys. Applications ranged from orange juice squeezers and valves to precision components for the aviation industry, the Department of Defense, and the Apollo space program. His engineering skills remained in demand well into his late 80s, and he continued to do consulting work.

He attended Summit High School, where he was its newspaper’s editor-in-chief, and the University of Michigan, earning a degree in mechanical engineering.

After graduation, he worked with the War Department and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942. He was stationed in the Philippines and New Guinea during World War II, and kept planes flying in the Pacific theater; he rose to the rank of captain by the time the war ended.

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Predeceased by his wives, Patricia (Charash) and Vivian (Ezro), he is survived by his son, Arthur of Allentown, Pa.; a sister, Jeanette Schoffmann; and two grandchildren.

Services were held April 1 with arrangements by Menorah Chapels at Millburn, Union. Memorial contributions may be made to environmental causes.