In Memoriam Stanley Levin 94 Was Coin-Ops Iconic Salesman

PALM COAST, FL -- Coin-op amusement industry icon Stanley Levin died on Dec. 18. He was 94. Family members said Levin died just four month before his 95th birthday.

A legendary figure in amusements, Levin had worked for some of the biggest names in the industry during a career that spanned more than six decades.

Following service in the military during World War II, Levin entered the coin machine business in partnership with Ken Seaver. They started Uncle Stanley's arcade, which expanded from its original Lake Geneva, WI, location into Texas and several college towns throughout the United States. In the early 1970s, Uncle Stanley's was among the first arcade operations to enter modern shopping malls, a trend that would accelerate a decade later following the introduction of videogames. These pioneers laid the foundation for today's family entertainment centers.

Levin was well known for his close association with many of the major games manufacturers and distributors in the Chicago area. After exiting arcade operations, he took on sales positions at various amusement companies, including Bally, Gottlieb, Chicago Coin, Empire Distributing and Game Plan. He later formed his own sales organization, Antique Games (Northbrook, IL), which engaged in buying and selling classic coin-operated amusement devices and slot machines.

"Stanley was the ultimate salesman; he traveled all over the world and was known in almost every country," said longtime colleague Ken Anderson. "He was the consummate used-games salesman."

Anderson recalled that Levin made antique slot machines his specialty. In some instances, he purchased warehouses full of them in countries where they had been deemed illegal and forced out of locations. Then, Levin would resell them to collectors and homeowners.

After moving from Lincolnshire, IL, to Palm Coast, FL, 16 years ago, Levin remained involved in the used equipment business, right up to a few months before his death. He attended the 2016 IAAPA Attractions Expo in November in Orlando, FL.

"He had a very short illness before he died," said Lori Gold, Levin's daughter. "He used his computer up until a few months ago. He was always buying and selling in different countries. He was in it for a long time, and was active up until the last few months."

Levin was predeceased by his wife, Corinne, affectionately known as "Cookie." He is survived by his children Lori Gold and Michael Levin, and grandchildren Alissa Plaisance, Lindsay Edelson and David Levin, as well as four great-grandchildren.