Obituary of Robert R. Lewis

Born July 1, 1941 in Augusta, Kansas, 15 miles east of Wichita. He died at Providence St. Peter’s Hospital in Olympia, WA on October 15, 2007.Bob graduated from Augusta High School in 1959. His activities included Co-Captain of the Augusta Orioles football team as well as being an Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow. Bob joined the US Air Force in 1962 to see the world and was stationed 80 miles from home. He kept his bed made in the barracks and commuted from home so Mom could iron his uniforms. Bob worked from an early age in order to afford his cars as soon as he was old enough. He worked at Beechcraft Aircraft Factory in Wichita, Kansas for a time. He then worked on the off-shore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico and later owned a service station in Texas. Bob worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Oklahoma and, later, for Pacific NW Bell in Olympia, primarily as a cable splicer. He retired from the telephone company in 1979 and continued to work in the telecommunications field for several years. He then owned an automotive machine shop, Lewis Auto Machine Service, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bob returned to the Pacific NW in 1992 to be closer to his father and his sister and her family. He worked in retail management in the boating and automotive fields until ill health forced his retirement. Bob loved his “toys”, owning over 40 cars, numerous boats and motorcycles, and several airplanes. He raced cars and dirt bikes, serving as an alternate on a national dirt bike racing team in Italy. Bob taught motorcycle safety classes and was a member of the Goldwing Riders Association for several years. Bob had many interests, including woodworking, cooking (especially barbeque ribs), NASCAR, football and old time gospel and country music. He particularly enjoyed reconnecting with former classmates, keeping up a regular e-mail correspondence and preparing the book for his 45th class reunion. Bob was fortunate to attend the Blind Rehab Program at the Veterans Administration facility at American Lake and very much appreciated all the help and support he received there. Bob was Board President and Water Manager for Lake Lucinda Community Club. He belonged to the BPOE for over 40 years and was also a member of the Capital City Council of the Blind. Survivors include his wife, Suzanne, whom he married in 1992; daughter and son-in-law, Shonda and Brad Lovelace and grandchildren Erica and Bryant Lovelace of Oklahoma City, OK; daughter, Shelly Lewis of Tulsa, OK; sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Gene Westover of Sultan, WA; nephews, nieces and their families, Mike and Laurie Westover, Steve and Margo Westover, Erik Westover, Robin and James O’Neal as well as numerous cousins, primarily in Kansas. He is also survived by his beloved Shih Tzu, Bruiser. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Mildred (Cowles) Lewis. We are especially grateful to Bob’s long-time doctor, Edward Jansen, and his Nephrologist, Seth Thaler. Bob was fortunate to have excellent care from several others in the medical community, including the wonderful staff at Fresenius Dialysis Center. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2pm on Sunday, October 21, at Grace Redeemer Bible Church at the McLane Grange Hall on Delphi Road in Olympia. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sightlife (Lions Eye Bank), the American Diabetes Association or your favorite charity. Please leave your condolences for the family by clicking on the 'view guestbook' below.