strength clare: York College professor John Levisky, forensic expert, dies

Monday, November 19, 2012

York College professor John Levisky, forensic expert, dies

He worked as a forensic anthropologist on the exhumation of the remains of Albert DeSalvo, the alleged "Boston Strangler," according to the college.

York College professor and forensic anthropologist John "Jack" Levisky died over the weekend. (Submitted)

John "Jack" Levisky II was involved in forensic work on a number of high-profile investigations, both locally and nationally, but those close to him said there's much more to say about him.

He was career military officer and a model railroad enthusiast. He played the accordion and flew small planes and later ultralights.

And, he loved teaching, the job he held at York College for 33 years. He retired this fall but still signed on to teach two courses as an adjunct.

"It was his inspiration," said friend and colleague Barbara Hanbury. "I think we always said ... that gave Jack a reason to keep living. There were times where he was really fighting with illness. We thought, once he gets in the classroom he becomes alive again."

Levisky, a professor of forensic anthropology, died over the weekend at age 74, according to the college and his family. He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1992, and it recently progressed, his son, John Levisky III of Lancaster, said.

Teaching was a passion for Levisky, his son said.

"When he really could no longer teach this year, that was kind of hard on him," the younger Levisky said. "He always said he was going to teach until he couldn't teach anymore."

Levisky began at York College in 1979, after retiring as a major in the U.S. Air Force, and rose through the ranks to become professor in 1998, said Mary Ligon, chairwoman of the behavioral sciences department. York College faculty are set to vote Tuesday on granting Levisky professor emeritus status, which honors distinguished contributions in teaching, professional achievement and service to the college and community.

Levisky, of West York, did forensic work on a number of high-profile cases in York County, such as the murders of Hopethan Johnson and Christina Colon, and national cases, such as the "Boston Strangler."

Hanbury, associate professor of criminal justice, worked with Levisky, called "the bone guy" for his area of expertise, on dozens of cases. He never wanted anyone to give him information on a case, she said. He wanted to draw conclusions based on what he learned himself while examining bones.

Whenever they were called for a case, she said, he'd gather up as many interested students as he could, so they could get hands-on experience.

Eric Ling, a friend and associate professor of criminal justice at the college, said Levisky had time for everyone - the high achieving students as well as those who might not be getting it. He was patient with everyone who stepped into his office.

Levisky played the accordion since he was 7, Ling said, and "definitely got the hang of it the last few years."

"We played a lot of Irish music together," he said.

Levisky is survived by his wife, Essie; two children, four step children, four grandchildren, five step grandchildren, and one great-grandchild and other relatives.

Hanbury said he was one of those people who's just a good soul.

"Just a kind, giving soul ... that's what I think about when I think about Jack," she said.

Levisky on his work

York College professor John Levisky was involved in some high profile forensics investigations, such as in 2001, when he worked on the exhumation of the remains of Albert DeSalvo, the confessed "Boston Strangler."

Levisky said in a 2007 York Daily Record story that being involved in such prominent cases is exciting but that the ultimate goal is the same, whether the subject is famous or not.

"Our objective is to enhance forensic science if we can," he said. "We're looking at this from the perspective of, what can forensic science learn from this? Whether it's high profile or not, the challenge and the excitement are there."

Levisky's cases

John Levisky did forensic work on high profile cases both nationally and locally.

In 2008, Levisky and a team of college students uncovered some of the skeletal remains of York County murder victim Hopethan Johnson. Also in York County, in 2005, he reassembled the skull of murder victim Christina Colon, who was pregnant at the time of her death.

Outside of York, he was part of a team that worked on the exhumation of the remains of Albert DeSalvo, the confessed "Boston Strangler" during the summer 2001, according to the college.

He was also part of an effort to examine the remains of biochemist Frank Olson, who jumped out a window in 1953 after the CIA gave him LSD in a secret experiment.

In 2007, he was tapped to help when there was talk of exhuming magician Harry Houdini's body to investigate the cause of his death, though it never happened.