Jacob “Jake” Leventhal, 88, passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 19, 2026, leaving behind a family who loved him deeply. Born in Brooklyn and raised in St. Louis, Jake was the kind of person you never had to guess about — he was smart, funny, and completely himself at all times.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bette, and son, Steve. He is survived by his sons, Dan (Tina) and Andy Leventhal (Jamie); his grandchildren, Bradley, Melissa, Coco, and Josie, and his sister, Carol Franklin (Sidney). He was the uncle to Amy O’Grady, Stephen Franklin, Rachel and David Karasick

A respected professor emeritus of physics at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, Jacob dedicated much of his life to learning and teaching. Brilliant and endlessly curious, he approached the world with intelligence, wit, and a directness that those who knew him came to love and appreciate.

Outside of academia, Jacob loved baseball, martial arts, and never missed an opportunity to test his knowledge watching Jeopardy. He was blunt, funny, smart, and deeply loving — a man whose presence could fill a room and whose love for his family was never in question.

Graveside service, Sunday, May 24, 10:00 a.m. at United Hebrew Cemetery, 7855 Canton Avenue. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jake’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

A RINDKSOPF-ROTH SERVICE