East Bank Club’s founder, Daniel Levin, passed away on Saturday at the age of 95. He lived a full and exciting life. Our club was a source of true pride and joy. Many of you may have never had the opportunity to meet him in person, but many of us have had the opportunity to be charmed by his delight. Regardless, his existence has impacted the majority of people who entered EBC. (The minority that is unfazed, I can’t help you.) You have experienced the Daniel Levin effect if you ever looked around the club and thought, “Wow. I can’t believe how good it is, how many things we have, and /or how genuine and kind the people that work here are.”
If you read any of the media about his passing, every source mentions that he took a big risk when he envisioned East Bank Club on the shore of the Chicago River in what was a semi-abandoned industrial corridor of town. Many thought it was an insane idea, but it would become a major component in the majesty of River North.
If during your time there, anyone has believed in your talent and skill, Mr. Levin can also be attributed to birthing that spirit. He loved every employee and had the utmost faith in all of us to bring our best selves to the table to create something truly special, and he always believed in the “magic” that comes from truly caring about your work over anything else.
Tied to his faith in us, he was also so thankful for the part that everyone played in making this place wonderful. If you ever had the opportunity to hear him speak, the warmth in his voice and the sparkle of his humor clearly demonstrated a deep well of gratitude.
It is a special thing to have a leader that believes in you and is truly grateful for you. Even on it’s most challenging days, being a part of the EBC machine has been nothing short of a gift.
Lisa Moves 