Richard Lewitt

Richard Edward Lewitt, 80, passed away on November 17, 2025, in St. George, Utah, with his devoted daughter by his side. Born on March 30, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, Rick was the son of Justine (Patterson) Lewitt and Jack Edward Lewitt, and the younger brother of his beloved sister, Sharon Pappas. In 1954, the family moved to Farmington, Michigan, where Rick spent the rest of his childhood.

Rick’s love for cars began early and ran deep. As a little boy in Detroit, he could often be found in the backyard creating elaborate roadways beneath the trees for his toy cars and trucks—or down the street with a friend, doing the same in their backyard. That childhood passion grew into a lifelong enthusiasm for automobiles.

As a young man, he raced cars, talked cars, and dreamed cars—an excitement that became one of the defining joys of his life. Combined with his quick wit, generous heart, and easy likability, Rick had a natural gift for bringing laughter and comfort to the people around him. His humor, warmth, and intelligence made him someone people trusted and loved to be near.

In his early 20s, Rick left Michigan and headed west to California, where he began what would become a long and accomplished career in refractory engineering. Highly skilled, innovative, and driven, Rick quickly established himself in the field and—guided by an entrepreneurial spirit that emerged early in his career—founded and owned multiple companies. His work ethic, ingenuity, and determination helped him build a fulfilling professional life and a strong reputation within the industry.

After moving into semi-retirement in 2012, Rick settled in Enterprise, Utah, where he built his dream home and discovered one of the greatest joys of his later years: restoring classic cars and anything mechanical that needed to be brought back to life. Together with his best friend Mark Whitney, he spent countless hours in his garage—tinkering with tractors, cars, motors, tools, and any project that sparked their interest. Those garage days were filled with friendship, laughter, grease, creativity, and purpose.

Of all the roles Rick cherished, none meant more to him than being a grandfather. His grandsons, Carson and Carter Kehl, were truly the pride and joy of his life. Known lovingly as “Papa,” Rick shared a deeply special bond with them—one built on presence, love, humor, and the kind of steadiness that children hold onto forever.

Rick is survived by his loving daughter Michelle Lewitt and her sons Carson and Carter Kehl of California; his caring sister Sharon Pappas of Sykesville, Maryland; and his beloved niece and nephew, Sandy Werner and Greg Pappas, along with several great-nieces and great-nephews. He is also lovingly remembered by his dear friends in Southern Utah, including his garage companion Mark Whitney, Mark’s wife Carolina Whitney, and their grandchildren Rosie and Brayan Cervantes.

A celebration of Rick’s life will be held February 7th at             , at McArthur Funeral Home. Rick will be remembered for his humor, his kindness, his brilliance, and the enormous love he carried for his family. His legacy of warmth, resilience, creativity, and devotion lives on in all who were fortunate to know him