Philip Levin, 85, decorated Korean War veteran

Philip Levin, 85, formerly of Jenkintown, a retired company president and decorated Korean War veteran, died of complications from Parkinson's disease Saturday at home in Durham, N.C. He moved to Durham last year to be close to family.

Mr. Levin was born in Philadelphia to Jewish parents who had escaped czarist Russia. He graduated from South Philadelphia High School.

During World War II, he enlisted in the Navy. He was serving with a Seabees construction battalion in California and was about to ship out for the Pacific Theater when he received orders that he had been accepted to Officer Candidate School and was assigned to attend Yale University.

After earning a bachelor's degree from Yale in 1946, he remained in the Navy. During the Korean War, he commanded the minesweeper Osprey. In November 1950, Lt. Levin was awarded the Silver Star Medal for helping clear the dangerous minefield in Wonson harbor in North Korea. He later commanded a patrol ship in New London, Conn., before his discharge in 1954.

That year, Mr. Levin married Carmine Felderman and became general manager of Thermal Reduction Corp. in Philadelphia. The firm, which specialized in the processing and refining of nonferrous scrap metal, eventually became Metal Bank of America. Mr. Levin was president of Metal Bank when it was sold in 1983. He and a partner, Marvin Dayno, then formed DeHaviland Ltd., a broker-dealer of nonferrous metals. He retired in 2003.

Mr. Levin swam every day well into his 70s at a local health club, his son Scott said. He enjoyed classic cars, collecting antiques, target shooting, and sketching with pen and ink, and he was interested in Korean War history, his son said.

Besides his son, Mr. Levin is survived by another son, Jonathan; a daughter, Cathy; five grandchildren; and his former wife.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Sunday at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, 8339 Old York Rd., Elkins Park.