Obituary of Richard Lewis

Richard "Dick" Lewis passed away peacefully at his home with his loving family beside him on August 8, 2014 after a courageous battle with Parkinson's and diabetes. Richard was born July 27, 1942 to David and Hazel (nee: Kellogg) Lewis. He was a graduate of Oconomowoc High School and while there earned four letters in tennis; three of them at #1 singles, and won the Little 10 conference championship three years. He later achieved his Bachelor of Science Degree from Carroll College in Waukesha in 1965, and while there played #1 singles for two years and participated in numerous state meets. Richard's career spanned 33 years in Human Resource Management, at International Harvester, and later J.W. Peters, Inc., a three plant company where he retired from in 2000. He then taught Management Principles and Human Resource Management at Bryant and Stratton Business College for two years. While at International Harvester, he was involved in the early formation of the first industrial tennis league in Waukesha, which grew from four teams to eight teams. On January 2, 1998, he married Sheri Hunter at Zion Episcopal Church in Oconomowoc. During his business career, Richard also acquired a Real Estate Broker License as well as a property/casualty insurance license. One hobby that Richard was pleased with occurred in his latter years with his involvement in the artistic program at The Caring Place, Inc. in Waukesha. He especially enjoyed working with chalk and water colors. His artwork was on display at two galleries in Milwaukee. Thank you to Ellen Reynolds for teaching him this new art. Richard was an avid reader of light mysteries, including Sherlock Holmes books. He was also fond of Holmes' many sayings, including "Eliminate all the impossibilities and whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." Richard is survived by his loving wife Sheri, and three wonderful sons, Greg (Kevin), Steve (Kari), and Bryan (Jenny) Lewis, whose many achievements made their Dad proud. He is also survived by grandchildren Brandon, Megan and Evan Lewis, and mother-in-law Shirley Velzka. He is further survived by nieces and nephews and others relatives, as well as many friends, some of whom were met at The Golden Gate Restaurant (also known as "Chinese Cheers"), and Matteo's Restaurant; close friends Dave and Sally Smith, and former neighbors Mark and Jan Lynch whom he spent much time chatting with over a backyard fence, reviewing previous and upcoming sporting events. Richard was a special person who will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Rodney; and sister, Sandra (Jack) Fendt; father-in-law Donald Velzka, brother-in-law, Kerry Hunter; and good buddy Sherlock (basset hound). The visitation for Dick will be held from 10:30AM until the time of the 1:00PM funeral service on Sunday, August 10, 2014, at the Cesarz, Charapata and Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, WI 53188. A special thank-you to Rev. Cindy Farmer, Jackie De Young, Jewell Falkenberg and others from Vitas Hospice who helped care for Richard. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Wisconsin Parkinson's Assn., 945 N. 12th Street, Ste. 4602, Milwaukee, WI 53233 or VITAS Hospice, 2675 N. Mayfair Rd., Ste. 500, Wauwatosa, WI 53226 are appreciated.