Harold Eugene Letven died on Saturday, Jan. 14 at the age of 96, surrounded by his family.
“He was an extraordinary man, and a rock for his family and friends,” a loved one wrote to The Malibu Times. “He was entirely lucid to the end, and never lost his sense of humor or his warm expansive personality.”
Letven served in WWII as a navigator, surviving many injuries and suffering the loss of many comrades. He was an entrepreneur, a business maverick and lived for many years in Malibu, where he built several beautiful private homes in the 1970s. He spent his last years in Boulder, Colo. with his wife, Sandy.
“Hal was a fine athlete, excelling in tennis, racquetball, handball and golf, where he scored two holes-in-one,” a loved one wrote. “He had a beautiful voice, and his singing inspired everyone who got the benefit of hearing it. Kids loved Hal; he knew how to make them smile. He was a great provider for his family. He had a charismatic spirit, and was deeply loved by all who knew him.”
Letven is survived by his wife, Sandy Letven; sister, Thelma Hoffman; daughters Leslie Bixler, Debra Blanchard and Laurie Menyuk; sons Jack and Michael Berman; grandchildren Annabel Blanchard, Sunny Erickson, Kacie and Erin Berman, Maddie and Max Menyuk, and Robben Bixler; and great-grandchildren Caela Erickson and Zasha Blalock Erickson. He was preceded in death by his brother, Milton and daughter, Ronelle, who passed away in 2010.
“Hal was a go-getter who never lost his zest for life,” a loved one wrote. “He continued to keep moving well after his body made it difficult. To the end, he lived life to the fullest. He will be missed, but the joy he has spread and his loving spirit will never leave us.”