On Thursday, August 26, former Portage teacher and coach Thomas Edward “Coach Lev” Levandoski passed away peacefully at home after a four-year battle with cancer.
Coach Lev graduated from La Porte High School in 1968, and then from Purdue University with an English degree and minor in physical education in 1971. He began teaching the two subjects at Portage High School that same year, and continued teaching there until 2007. In addition to teaching, Levandoski coached varsity baseball, served as assistant wrestling coach, and helped the cross country team with their summer camps.
Coach Lev had a major impact on his students and the Portage community over the years. Hundreds of people chimed in on our Portage.Life Facebook page to share their thoughts, memories, and appreciation for Levandoski with us, and here’s what some of them had to say:
“He was always such an outstanding man, teacher, coach to many, and pillar of not only Portage High School, but also all of Portage and the Region. My heart goes out to all. Prayers uplifted and may those who sorrow, be comforted.” - Diane Dube
“Lev was a great man, an amazing educator, and a true patriot. May God rest his soul.” - Steven Evans
“Lev was Superman. We told stories last night and laughed about him running past the house, straight as a board.” - Adrienne Click
“Rest in peace Mr. Levandowski. I'll never forget you swimming and treading water in the deep end while we all practiced. You were always nice and said hello.” - Amber Salas Purcell
“I remember every morning I would see him running before football practice. I saw his self-discipline everyday to get his run in.” - Antoine Brown
“RIP Coach Lev. I will always remember the drive to and from Chain O’ Lakes in the summer of ‘94. Great week of camp and training”- Al Kane
“He definitely loved his job. R.I.P. Lev.: - Brett Bando
“R.I.P. Lev, the best gym teacher ever. You will be missed by many.” - Todd Veden
“I was in one of Coach Lev’s P.E. classes, and he was the most positive person. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone - always willing to lend a helping hand or a listening ear. I think of him often and wish his family comfort during this difficult time”. - Mallory Livengood
“Wow, so sad to hear of his passing. One of the toughest teachers, but so fair and understanding. At times he was quite militant, but it taught us all respect. R.I.P. Mr Levandoski” - Stosh Klevickas
“Memory: Coach would always run to school in the morning. We used to call him the Terminator or Robo Lev because he reminded us of the cop in part two running after the car. Anyways, one day our bus hit him when he was running to school on the side of the road. He got up and came on the bus to ask us if we were OK, only a coach Lev moment. His legend will forever live on!” - Chris Figgy
“Lev hand wrote me a letter on yellow paper and sent it to the Purdue Football facility when I was in college. He didn’t address it to me but after they read it they knew it was for me. He used to always be on me at Portage about being a leader and doing things right. By the time senior year came, we were so cool he would just ask me what I wanted to do for the day (of course hoop), so he’d give me one gym to run full court and stand on top of the bleachers to supervise the other kids doing his activities in the other gym. He was a dope guy!” - Albert Evans
“Great man and tough as nails. Always a Marine and a great educator. He will be missed, but his legacy will always live on for us who were blessed to have been touched and impacted by him. Rest easy in the hands of God, Coach.” - John Nicholson
“My favorite teacher at PHS! No nonsense but with a sense of humor! He will be missed. Lots of love to his family.” - Betsy Robbins
“Just a great man, teacher, and representative of everything that’s great about Portage. His wife is also incredible and my thoughts and prayers go out to all of them.’ - John Camery
“Favorite Lev story will always be ‘Did you hear Lev was once hit by a bus, and he stood up and walked on the bus to make sure everyone was OK?’ I don’t even care if that story was true. #LEGEND R.I.P. Robo Lev.” - Christine Smith
“Rest easy Lev. I rolled my ankle in his gym class, and this man literally threw me over his shoulder and carried me to the nurse’s office at PHS from the gym. That’s a long trek and showed how much he cared about his students. Thinking of his family and friends.” - Tiffany Harrison
“This man was so sweet and kind to me, this breaks my heart. I don’t remember very many teachers from school but he is one that I remember. You will be missed.” - Erica Nicole
“This really breaks my heart and brings tears to my eyes to see all of the people that have had the privilege to know Coach Levandoski and to have to say goodbye. He was a man like no other, and is someone that I still bring up in conversations to this day. There will never be another one like you, Coach. Rest in peace sir, and thank you for being the person you were to so many students and athletes during the years. You will be missed.” - Kevin Lewis
“20 push ups for goofing off during practice. I finished the 20…’I didn’t see. Do them again. I was busy coaching the rest of your team.’ Life lessons. R.I.P Coach.” - Robert Taggart
“One time after running laps in gym class, I had a seizure outside while waiting for all of the other students to finish, and I apparently hit my head really good on the track when I fell. I woke up to him holding my head saying, ‘Amber, Amber, Amber.’ Once I was able to stand up, he walked me all the way to the nurse's office to make sure I made it safely. I remember feeling thankful he was there to help me. I’ll never forget him, and I often enjoyed seeing him running sometimes while driving around Portage. I’d honk and wave.” - Amber McDonald Mitre