Dr. Frederick Bruce LEWIS

Formerly of Cranford, NJ and most recently - for decades - of White Bear Lake, MN - died in the early morning hours of July 19, 2016, just one day before his 86th birthday. He was born to Albert Lewis, MD and Lillian Wollman Lewis, both deceased, as the oldest of four. He was named for Frederick Chopin, and music would play an enormous part of his entire life. He grew up in a small house in Cranford, NJ with brothers Stephen J. Lewis MD {deceased}, who eventually settled in Cincinnati, OH; another brother Matthew Lewis of New York City; and sister Kathleen Lewis, of Cranford. His father, who emigrated from Poland, practiced general medicine in a doctor's office connected with the family home. Bruce was home-schooled until the 4th grade, and combined his academic training with musical training. He entered the Pingry School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey and eight years later graduated as class valedictorian. At the same time, he studied piano with New York City resident David Saperton, and - at age 9 - was a guest soloist on the piano, playing Mozart, with the Elizabeth, New Jersey Philharmonic. The posters for the event called him "Little Amadeus." He entered Harvard University after graduation from Pingry, where he divided his time between medical studies, practicing piano and working as the music editor for the Harvard Crimson newspaper. He graduated from Harvard receiving his diploma in 1952. Bruce - as he was known by everyone - attended medical school at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons. He graduated in 1956 and began an internship at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He was then drafted and stationed at Walter Reade Hospital in Washington, D.C. He rose to the rank of Captain, but he maintained his irreverence - which he carried with him all of his life - by occasionally wearing bright red knee stockings with his Army green. Upon discharge, he worked a medical residency in New York City and had fellowship training in hematology in Boston. (Later, as a working doctor with four children, he studied for and attained board - certified status in a second discipline, oncology.) Bruce's first hospital employment was with the University of California San Francisco. His second was in Minnesota, where he spent the rest of his life working with various medical groups. He last practiced with Minnesota Oncology Hematology, P.A. and had hospital rights and practiced regularly at United Hospital in St. Paul, MN. Bruce was active with many arts groups during his life in Minnesota and was a past board member of both the Guthrie Theater and the Minnesota Orchestra. He also spent his summer vacations at his small home in Martha's Vineyard, MA. Bruce leaves his wife Diana Kunian Lewis of White Bear Lake, MN; son Jordan Lewis and daughter-in-law Pamela Krop of Fort Lauderdale, FL; daughter Beth Lewis and son-in-law William Bergmann of Minneapolis, MN; daughter Jessica Truax and son-in-law Paul Truax of Coppell, TX; and daughter Antonia Deignan and son-in-law John Deignan of Chagrin Falls, OH; along with 13 grandchildren and a multitude of cousins, nieces and nephews. A memorial service celebrating Bruce's life will be held in the Chapel at Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55408, on Saturday, July 30, 2016, beginning at 12pm noon. The family is grateful to all of his many amazing caregivers. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to your favorite organization, or to Bruce's: the Minnesota Orchestra.