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William Richard Lewis M.D.

William Lewis Obituary

WILLIAM RICHARD LEWIS, M.D. William Richard Lewis, M.D., loving son of George Lewis, Sr., and Inez Hodges Lewis, passed away on Monday, December 13, 2004. Born in 1927 in St. Louis, MO, and raised in Madison, IL, Dr. Lewis served in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1949. He earned a B.A. in Zoology from Fisk University in Nashville, TN (1951), where he was a member of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, as well as the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Eta Psi chapter. Dr. Lewis earned his Doctorate of Medicine from Meharry Medical College (1960). He married Gladys Sykes of East St. Louis, IL, in 1953. After completing his residency in General Medicine at Homer G. Phillips Memorial Hospital in St. Louis, MO, in 1961, Dr. Lewis moved his family to Gary, IN, where he opened a practice in general medicine. In the early days, Dr. Lewis made house calls. He joined the staffs of Methodist Hospital and Mercy Hospital in Gary when both were still segregated. Dr. Lewis created the Emergency Medical Department at Methodist Hospital in Gary, and served as Deputy Coroner of Lake County, IN, from 1967 to 1969. Dr. Lewis remarried in 1982, to Karen Schmelter of Crown Point, IN. He served as Preceptor for the nurse-practitioner program at Purdue University-Calumet. Dr. Lewis was a member of the Fisk University and Meharry Medical College alumni associations, the National Medical Association, and a lifetime member of the NAACP. Inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians in 1994, Dr Lewis devoted his life to providing quality medical care to the people of Northwest Indiana. He is survived by his beloved wife, Karen Schmelter Lewis; his 4 daughters, Pamela Lewis, Robbyn Lewis, Tracey Lewis and Wendy Lewis; his former wife, Gladys Sykes Lewis; and his godson, Brant Hawkins. He leaves behind his uncle, David Hodges, Sr.; his mother- and father-in-law, Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Schmelter of Crown Point IN; his brothers- and sisters-in law, William Fortson, Ellen Lewis, Barbara Lewis, Mildred Lewis, Joyce Lewis, Ernest Spearman, Raymond & Suzanne Schmelter, George & Marylyn Battles; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and his extended family. He was preceded in death by his beloved brothers and sisters, George Lewis, Jr., D.D.S., Wanda Lewis Williams, Milford Lewis, Sr., Gwen Lewis Spearman, Roland Lewis, Sr., Harlean Lewis Fortson, R.N., and by his nephew, Milford Lewis, Jr. Visitation will be held on Friday the 17th of December 2004 from 2 - 8 p.m. at Geisen Funeral Home, 7905 Broadway, Merrill-ville, IN 46410. A Requiem Mass will be held on Saturday the 18th of December 2004 at 11:00 a.m., Directly at St Augustine's Episcopal Church, 2425 West 19th Avenue, Gary, IN 46404. Burial to follow at Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville. In lieu of flowers, you may contribute to the Dr. William R. Lewis Scholarship of the Gary Educational Development Foundation, 3757 West 21st Ave., Gary, IN 46404.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Post-Tribune from Dec. 16 to Dec. 17, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for William Lewis

Sponsored by anonymous.

20 Entries

Gillian Pelton-Saito

January 12, 2005

Dear Robbyn and the Lewis family, our heartfelt sympathy and support at this time. We know Dr. Lewis' inspiration lives on. I'm so glad I had the chance to meet him.

Love Gillian, Yachan, Kaihe, Shioto, Pelton-Saito

Tracey Lewis

December 26, 2004

TO DR LEWIS' PATIENTS

Thank you everyone for your beautiful thoughts, please do include your contact info or email me. I would like to interview dad's patients from the 60s for a book about him.

Michael Stanley

December 24, 2004

To the Family of W.R. Lewis (Uncle Bill),

My heartfelt condolences to the family of Uncle Bill. While I know that this is a very difficult time for everyone, please know that I will keep all of you in my prayers to find the strength to move on, as I am sure that Bill Lewis would want you to do.

Donna Lewis Stanley

December 23, 2004

Uncle Bill,

I miss you an awful lot. You gave me away in holy matrimony, standing in for my Daddy (George) at my wedding. I will forever be grateful for your love and support all my life. I know that you and "G-Man" are back together. Tell Daddy and Mommy hello for me and give both of them a great big hug and kiss and let them know that I still miss them terribly too.

Your loving Niece,

Donna

Joyce Price

December 21, 2004

Dear Dr. Fortson and other family members of Dr. Lewis, You've heard it before I'm sure, but "Dr. Lewis brought all of my siblings and I into this world". I still imitate his "breath-in, let it out" to this day when playing with my nieces and nephews. He will surely be missed. My prayers are with you all.

Milton G Thaxton, Jr

December 20, 2004

To the Family of Dr. Lewis,

With regret I was unable to attend the services, but would not let the opportunity to pass me by to publicly express how I feel toward The Lewis Family. Dr. Lewis, Dr. Fortson from the deep depth of my heart I would like to say, Thank you and I love you all for the support, kind words and many acts of kindness I recieved from you over the years. Dr. Lewis will be missed by many, but His memory will continue on. Again thank you and my prayers are with you all.

henry c adams jr

December 17, 2004

Not only was Dr.Lewis a great doctor,he was the epitome of the best of every thing. He brought my son into this world in 1962.It was at that time I was struggling financially and true to "his" form he was most considerate.I shall be forever grateful and humble to have known him.

Laura (Schaller) Halfman

December 17, 2004

Karen, It is with deep feelings that I offer you my sympathy at the loss of your husband,,,I too remember working with him as a student nurse.....It was a long time ago....

Arlandal & Mary Jo Davis

December 17, 2004

To the family of Dr. William R. Lewis,

It is with great sadness and regret, we learn of the lost of our beloved Dr. Lewis. We extend our deepest sympathy to you and trust you will find peace and comfort in the LORD, who is able.

"I lift up my eyes to the hills --

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth."

Psalms: 121

AMEN

Calvin & Charla Andrews

December 17, 2004

To the family of Dr. Lewis,

Our prayers are with you in your time of sorrow. May God bless you and keep his loving arms wrapped around you in your time of need.

Dexter Patterson

December 17, 2004

To the family of Dr. Lewis,

My prayers are with all of you during this time. I can only smile and remember his laugh and smile throughout his office. He leaves an awesome legacy to the city of Gary. Not to mention my first contact of a black professional.

May God bless all of you,

Dexter Mark Patterson

Linda Roberts

December 16, 2004

Karen, Thinking of you in your time of sorrow.

William Richard lewis II

December 16, 2004

Let not your heart be trouble; you beliveve in god, believe also in me"In my Father's house are many manisions;if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for your

Yolanda Graham

December 16, 2004

To Family and Workers of Dr. Lewis,

Words can't express my deep sympathy I have for the loss of Dr. Lewis. I've known Dr. Lewis my entire life. Dr. Lewis delivered me in 1972 and I've been a patient of his since. Not only was he my doctor but he was also someone you could share anything with, and Dr. Lewis always had an answer for any problem you had, whether it was medically related or not. He was definitely an excellent Doctor. I am truly going to miss him.

Truly missed,

Yolanda Graham

Richard Graham Sr.

Mary Graham

Richard Graham Jr.

Timothy Graham

Thedonia Rambo

December 16, 2004

To the Lewis Family...I worked for Dr. Lewis in his office in Tri-City. Dr. Lewis was the best employer i've ever worked for...I send Love and Peace from Our Heavenly Father...May God be with you all in this time of grief.

Beatrice Brodie

December 15, 2004

To the Wife and Family of Dr.W.R.Lewis, You have our deepest sympathy. Dr. Lewis was my Doctor and friend for more than 30 years. When you were in the hospital, no one would mess with his patients, he made sure that you had the best service. He will be greatly missed.

Jessie and Beatrice Brodie

Valerie Scott

December 15, 2004

To the Family of Dr.W.R.Lewis,

I am deeply sorry for your loss. Dr.Lewis was kind, had a great smile and always gave me words of encouragemnt. He will be missed dearly.

Valerie Scott

and

Family

BERNADINE BOWEN

December 15, 2004

CONDOLENCES FROM THE ANNA M. GLOVER

FAMILY. WE LOVED HIM, HE WAS THE DOCTOR FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

Hugh A. (Al) Shanahan

December 15, 2004

From December of 1960 through the end of 1966 I worked as a security guard at the Methodist Hospital in downtown Gary, Indiana. I was at the time a Gary Police Officer working a second full time job.

I soon met Dr. W.R.Lewis, who at the time was just starting his practice in the Gary area. He was always available to anyone needing his assistance, and always provided the highest quality of medical care to all who entered the doors of the Methodist Emergency Room.

W.R. Lewis was my fiend and mentor. It was he who pushed me to better myself, and "W.R." who encouraged me to return to college. Late one night when I told him that I was considering leaving the Gary P.D. for a chance at a position with the federal government, it was Dr.W.R. Lewis who encouraged me to at least "try" - and it was he who wrote the letter of recomendation to my prospective employer.

later when I was being considered for the position, it was Dr. Lewis that provided the interview with the agents who were investigating my background that convinced them that I should be given a chance.

When I received my appointment to the old "Federal Bureau of Narcotics", later to be known as The DEA, it was Dr. Lewis that shook my hand and sent me off with a pat on the back, thanking ME for what I had done for him over the years. How typical of W.R. Lewis to be thanking me, when in fact he gave me two of the greatest gifts that I have ever received, his encouragement and support.

My meeting and knowing Dr.W.R.Lewis was perhaps the single most significant event in my life. He was my teacher and mentor, and more importantly he was my friend.

He always called me, "Officer Shanahan" - even years after I left the Gary Police Department and would stop to visit with him in his office in the west of Gary.

I once asked him why - after we had known each other for so long - that he continued to call me "Officer Shanahan." His reply was, "for the same reason that you still call me Dr. Lewis", and I can still see the twinkle in his eye as he said it.

I will miss this good man, to whom I owe so much.

"Officer Shanahan"

Hugh A. Shanahan

Supervisory Special Agent, Retired

Drug Enforcement Administration

United States Department of Justice

Irving Jean Brown

December 14, 2004

To Mrs. Karen Lewis, Daughters, and

Family of Dr. William R. Lewis,

I am truely sorry for your loss as

well as my loss of a great doctor, Friend and extended family member.

I know god makes no mistakes so I blame no one for taking away this great person. There was never a moment when I needed him that he was not there for me or my family.

In years back I became an employee

and worked evenings right beside him. He too was a great boss, today I can hear his laughter and Class he was a very Classy doctor.

I am sure the entire City of Gary

will miss him dearly as will I and

my family. I will never forget him

and his professional manner, his polite manner and his bedside manner and there is no one who can fill his shoes. Rest in Peace Sweetheart you have earned that right.

With all my Love to his Family, May

God Bless You All.

Irving Jean