Aviation Loses Renowned Photo-Journalist

ANN regrets to confirm that 88-year-old Howard Levy, recognized as one of the nation's best aviation photographers and writers, passed away January 29th at his home in New Jersey.

The Asbury Park Press reports that Levy took his first photograph of an airplane at age 15 at Floyd Bennett Field near Brooklyn, and sold his first picture at age 16.  He went on to have photographs published in US Aviator, Smithsonian Magazine, Look, AOPA Pilot, Sport Pilot, Private Pilot, Kitplanes, Pro-pilot, Janes, and Air Progress, as well as numerous international publications.

He won a lifetime achievement award from the International Symposium of Photographers in 2003, and a Gold Circle award from the American Helicopter Society in 2005. He was among the founding members of both the American Aviation Historical Society and the Aviation/Space Writers Association. He was an Air Corps photographer in Africa, Italy, and Sicily during WWII

He is survived by a son-in-law and two grandsons. His wife and daughter both preceded him in death.

E-I-C Note: For as long as I pursued a career as an aviation journalist, I can't remember a year in which Howard and I didn't cross paths on a number of occasions to share a few comments, some ideas and the usual aero-gossip that is our life's blood. Quiet, purposeful and incredibly professional, Howard was an eminently likeable guy who was about as good-natured as they come. At Oshkosh, this year, we're going to embark on something we want to put forth as a tradition... an impromptu gathering whose only purpose is to get together and raise a toast to those we care for, and who now have Gone West. We look forward to raising a toast in Howard's memory... to remember him as one of the best of us -- and to know for certain that when our time comes to head West... that Howard will be there to take a picture as we arrive... -- Jim Campbell, ANN E-I-C.

FMI: www.aahs-online.org