MADISON - Lewis A. Bosworth, Jr. died on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021. His long-time partner, Terry Lee Allen; his parents, Grace B. and Lewis A. Bosworth, Sr.; and sister, Ann B. Chidsey, preceded him in death.

Lewis was born on July 6, 1942, in Detroit, Mich. He was raised in Belleville, Ill. and graduated from high school in 1960. He then enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was inducted into Phi Eta Sigma, national freshman men's honors society, and he received a bachelor's degree in French, cum laude, in 1964. Lewis spent his junior year in college studying in Aix-en-Provence, France. His graduate work was taken at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and he spent his first year as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, receiving a master's degree in Romance Linguistics in 1965.

Lewis then taught French and Linguistics at the University of Michigan, at Wesleyan University (CT) and at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Returning to his Alma Mater, he engaged in a variety of administrative and advising positions, among which liaison with the Wisconsin secondary schools, director of the Junior Science, Engineering and Humanities Symposium, the Chancellor's associate administrative council, the summer orientation, advising and registration program, total quality improvement training, the campus-wide A Campus of Difference diversity training program, foreign language placement and study abroad. He also served as secretary-treasurer of the French House, Inc. for about twelve years. Lewis was a member of many professional associations, published several articles and co-authored textbooks in elementary French and corrective phonetics. Throughout his career he traveled extensively to Western Europe, in particular to his two favorite countries: France and Portugal. Lewis retired from university service in Jan. 2003.

In this country, Lewis enjoyed especially New York City and San Diego. He was also a devoted fan of the Fox River Valley area of Wisconsin and visited relatives and friends there almost every year. His mother was born and raised in Neenah, Wis.

Lewis was a long-time member of Luther Memorial Church in Madison. His ministries included worship and music, social ministry, personnel committee, congregation council, lead communion deacon, chief sacristan and assisting minister, and he was a founding member of Luther Memorial Gay, Lesbian and Friends Fellowship Group.

He is survived, also, by many friends and acquaintances, among which members of the Departments of French and Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, and German, and member of Luther Memorial Church.

Lewis will be remembered by many as a rather eccentric and daring person, subject to his own whims and idiosyncrasies, and unafraid to breach the norms of society. Even in the world of work, at professional conferences, and leading worship he was known for his trademark bandanas.

Lewis was a passionate person given to love of language and culture, music, theater, poetry, gay and lesbian studies and, foremost, his love of God manifest in the triune God.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021 at Luther Memorial Church, 1021 University Avenue in Madison, the Rev. Brad Pohlman officiating. Lewis will be inurned, and his remains will be placed in a niche in the Luther Memorial Columbarium, along with those of his beloved partner, Terry Allen.

Memorials may be made to Luther Memorial Church or to a non-profit organization of one's choice.

"Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." – I Corinthians 15: 51-52

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Published by Madison.com on Nov. 7, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Lewis Bosworth

Sponsored by Informed Choice Funeral & Cremation Alternatives - Madison.

3 Entries

Constance Knop

November 9, 2021

So sad to read of Lewis' passing. I have such vivid memories of him, dating back to the 70s when he would play hide and seek with my children at French House events. In later years we worked together in professional activities including state and regional foreign language groups. I always enjoyed his sense of humor and caring ways. Rest in peace Lewis

Linda Lenzke

November 8, 2021

Friend, fellow cinephile, writer, poet, member of our LGBTQ+ community, and so much more. Lewis was many things to many people, for me, we'd see each other annually at the Wisconsin Film Festival, compare notes, critiques, and recommendations about the films we saw, shared our writing and poetry with each other; he was my most loyal reader of my blog, Mixed Metaphors, Oh My! and I will treasure his encouraging words. His reputation as a poet and writer gave his words more value.

RIP, Lewis. I will always appreciate your words, both written and spoken, your wisdom shared, and your eccentric and creative spirit.

Linda Stephenson

November 7, 2021

I will miss you. Always enjoyed our lunches remembering old friends and coworkers.

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