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KENNETH LEWES Obituary

LEWES--Kenneth A. June 8, 1943-April 17, 2020 died of complications of COVID-19. Born in the Bronx, and after graduating from Bronx High School of Science, earned a BA from Cornell and PhD from Harvard in English Literature. After several years as professor of Renaissance Literature at Rutgers, he entered the PhD program at University of Michigan in clinical psychology, receiving a PhD in 1982. His ground breaking book, The Psychoanalytic Theory of Male Homosexuality (Sunday New York Times Book Review, December 1988) challenged the American Psychoanalytic Association's views on male homosexuality, and was a major force in shaping social acceptance of homosexuality. It continues to be widely used by scholars and students, along with his many articles and publications. He will be greatly missed by his longtime partner, Gary Jacobson, his sister, Noreen Vasady-Kovacs, her partner and Ken's childhood friend Charles DeLisi and nephew Paul Vasady-Kovacs and his family. Dr. Lewes will be remembered for his kindness and generosity to all.

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Published by New York Times on Apr. 26, 2020.

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6 Entries

Anthony quartell

March 22, 2022

I was a good friend of Kenneth. We went to junior high together and moved on to Bronx science
He was brilliant And hilariously funny
I enjoyed so much the time my parents and I spent with Ken Noreen and joe and ann
Truly some of the best memories of my younger years in the Bronx
I looked him up on google because "mambo Italian o was playing and it reminded me so much of that family
I wish that I had done it sooner
He was a great friend

dan bender

July 4, 2020

I took a great course with KL, circa 1975, at Rutgers. Paradise Lost still resonates as an epic that I understand from that class! He showed how convincing Satan's temptation speeches are....and, siding with Blake, that satan is a figure of magnificent energy! (it's hard to lose a contest, be a good winner, etc). He was kind, and witty, and as a nervous, easily intimidated kid, found talking to him a relief: he would listen, he cared. Never great friends, but I once visited him when he lived in New Brunswick, a testimony to his gracious, down to earth manner. you are not forgotten, ken.

Kittie Berger Morelock

May 31, 2020

I am so saddened by Ken's death. Ken and I got to know each other in 1980 while we were serving on an inter-disciplinary diagnostic/treatment team in Adult Out-patient Psychiatry at the University of Michigan Health System. Ken was a brilliant scholar of psychology, literature, philosophy, history, science. Ken was a wonderful human being--friendly, playful, kind, generous. He had a profound impact on me and on so many others. I will miss him very much. Love and peace to all Ken's family.

Eric Strauss

April 27, 2020

Kenneth shared his warmth and intelligence with others. We honor him for his generous spirit and kindness. May you Rest In Peace Ken.

Jeff Bannon

April 26, 2020

I feel blessed to have known Ken, and to have enjoyed his wit, brilliant mind, and gourmet cooking many times over the past several years. Sending love and warm wishes to Gary and the rest of his family.

April 26, 2020

A beautiful remembrance. Ken will be missed for his warmth, intelligence, and of course! his fabulous culinary gifts
Love, Joe & Bob

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