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VAL LEWTON Obituary
VAL EDWIN LEWTON
On Friday, April 24, 2015, exhibits designer and painter, Val E. Lewton died of cancer. Born in Santa Monica, California, son of movie producer Val Lewton, and Ruth Knapp, Val had a successful career in the Washington, DC art world. He spent 32 years at the Smithsonian Institution, designing hundreds of exhibits, including the award-winning Louis Comfort Tiffany Exhibition. He retired as Chief of Design at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Val continued to design exhibits as a consultant, working with a variety of museums, most notably The Phillips Collection. An artist since childhood, for over 50 years Val was known for painting urban landscapes of DC. He exhibited in galleries and has work represented in museum collections. Val's extensive photographs reflect historical changes in the neighborhoods around Gallery Place and his public art projects include the "trompe l'oeil" airshaft mural at 3rd St. and Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC. Val was very active in supporting local arts including being president and founding member of The Studio Gallery. He penned illustrations for Smithsonian Magazine and published art critiques. He is well known for The Washington Review article, Where Has All the Color Gone? A dedicated runner, Val was president of the Beltway Striders. He ran over 20 marathons, including 8 Boston marathons. In his running career, Val's best marathon time was 2 hours 43 minutes. A sailor since childhood, Val actively raced sail boats until the fall of 2014. Val is survived by his wife, Claudia Minicozzi, sons Christopher and Victor Lewton and their wives, stepchildren Bill, Alex and Regis Minicozzi and their spouses, and nine grandchildren. His marriage to Jean Kling ended in divorce. A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 8 at 3 p.m. at The Washington Ethical Society.
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Memories and Condolences
for VAL LEWTON
Pat Chieffo
April 20, 2023
He was a great friend and artist! Never to be forgotten!
Pat Chieffo
Deborah Velders
April 20, 2022
Val was a brilliant colleague and friend when I worked at SAAM (formerly NCFA) museum in the 1970's. I was also an amateur runner at the time, and received much encouragement from him. He was an inspired artist and designer, whose work and character influenced so many of us in the art field. I feel so fortunate to have known him.
Pat Chieffo
April 20, 2021
A friend and colleague never to be forgotten!
Pat Chieffo
April 20, 2020
He will always be in my prayers and heart!
Patricia McCall
May 15, 2015
I knew Val when he was a teenager and we all lived in Beverly Glen Canyon, CA. His sister was one of my best friends, and he used to baby sit for me. We danced together at my oldest daughter's wedding, and I had lunch with him every time I went to his museum. Loved him very very much!!!PPP
Pandora
May 15, 2015
I loved Val my whole life - he babysat me in Santa Monica 60 years ago. I am so sorry I didn't have the chance to reconnect with him and your family in the past 10 years. My heartfelt condolences to you all. Love, Pandora Gold
Sal Selvaggio
May 14, 2015
I always looked forward to speaking with Val when he visited our office. A sweet guy, talented, interesting. Lots of good stories about his memories of his early years. I'll miss him.
Rolf Rykken
May 7, 2015
A wonderful man with a good sense of humor. Enjoyed chatting with him at the old reception desk at the Phillips Collection museum.
Alice Birney
May 5, 2015
It was my pleasure to deal with Val Lewton over many years as he added to the collection of the papers of his father, Val Lewton, Sr. in the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress. His talents and personal style will be missed. My condolences to the family,
Pam & Ken Williams
May 4, 2015
Val was always so easy-going despite his many impressive talents. We knew him first as a Beltway Strider, then a hasher, and somewhere in there we learned of his artistic talents. We're very lucky to have some of his art gracing our walls. Val always teased Pam about trying to drown him on one of the hash weekend events and never let her live it down. He was the perfect match for Claudia and they were always a great pair to be around. Although Val will be greatly missed we're so happy to be able to continue to count Claudia as a wonderful friend.
Wendy McGrane
May 3, 2015
Love and light to you, Claudia and the Lewton family. May you forever hold in your heart the gift of knowing and loving Val.
Martha and Joe Shannon
May 2, 2015
Val was a great friend ad colleague and we will miss him.
Pat Chieffo
April 30, 2015
You were a best friend and colleague during our
many years together at the American Art Museum.
You will be missed!
Pat Chieffo
Bill & Doris Crudup
April 30, 2015
Here for you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Brendan Levy
April 29, 2015
He was a man of unmistakable and remarkable strength, vitality and a gentle kindness. I feel honored to have known him.
April 28, 2015
Val Lewton was an artist in every sense.
Walter Kravitz
Beth Blumenthal
April 28, 2015
What a kind person and brilliant artist he was. Always had great stories to share. What a pleasure it was knowing this kind man. I really enjoyed working with him at the museum. He will be missed by many. I send my love and sincere condolences to his family.
Joanna Lewton
April 27, 2015
Val was a fantastic grandfather. Our son Zachary had 20 wonderful years of support and love from Pop Pop and Nana. They cherished him and celebrated his uniqueness. Family dinners, birthday celebrations, hanging out at the beach house, freezing in the audience at hockey games.... we could not have asked for more attentive and loving grandparents. Zachary learned about art, cars, running, Hollywood, architecture, Boris Karloff, cooking, boats, music and how to tell a good story from Val. From when he was a toddler, Pop Pop could always make Zachary laugh and laugh... best grandfather ever!
Andrew Wallace
April 27, 2015
Low key and generous with his time and insight, Val was a treasure to learn from and to work with. His mentorship in exhibition layout and design was invaluable to me. There is not a day that goes by where I am not reminded of all that I learned from Val or where I try to share that knowledge with young museum professionals. An excellent painter's painter, Val was also a masterpiece in his own right.
Hannah Byers
April 27, 2015
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Val. He taught me to love and to care about every aspect of exhibition design and he was always a joy to work with. Thank you for everything Val.
Jane McAllister
April 27, 2015
Val was a giant among men---so talented and hardworking yet always laid back. When I left SAAM after five years, he gave me a framed watercolor painting, which I cherish---for the generosity it represents as well as the brilliant artwork. Val treated people equally and pursued the varied aspects of his life with his own brand of drive. He had the fortune to have great love at the center of it all. We miss you, Val. We love you, Claudia and family.
Roberta Stewart
April 27, 2015
The Race Committee of the Capitol Hill Classic 10K was deeply saddened to learn of Val's death. We remember him as the winner of the first-ever Classic, and as the only person who ran the race every single year since its inception, including last year while battling cancer. We are devastated to see such an amazing racing streak end. Val, we thank you for your dedication to our little neighborhood race. We are looking for the right way to honor Val at this year's Classic. We raise our well-worn running shoes in his memory. (Sent on behalf of the Capitol Hill Classic Race Committee).
Bob Fitzgerald
April 27, 2015
Val's art graces my office and my law firm's reception area. And I had the privilege of running with/after Val in both the Beltway Striders and the DCH3. A true gentleman in every sens of the word.
Deborah Velders (Jensen when Val knew me)
April 26, 2015
Fair winds, calm seas...and safe harbor, Val.
Myles Doherty
April 26, 2015
A wonderful man and a gentle sole.
We never got to take that trip to the Ukraine.
A fun person with a great view on life.
He will be missed!!
April 26, 2015
To my dear friend Val who shared many moments of my life such as driving back from the Eastern shore with a trailer and you jumping out to photograph gas stations and me photographing lawn ornaments; or to our visit to Pop Dieners while putting together the Explore Gallery. I also remember you painting giant teeth on the freight elevator for our behind the scenes tour and posing with you at drawing; and celebrating many times with Claudia. It is with heavy heart I say good bye and send lots of love and sympathy to Claudia and your family. Xx Margie
Dave and Margi Doherty
April 26, 2015
Val will be greatly missed by all of his family and many friends. His legacy of wonderful and historic art work will forever remain as a testimony to his many talents. We have the privilege of owning one of his beautiful paintings for our home so we will be reminded every day of what a fabulous person and artist he was. Our deepest sympathy and condolences are with Claudia, his children, and all his family during this very difficult and sad time in their lives. We hope the beauty of springtime will remind them of the beauty of Val. Much love, Margi and Dave Doherty
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