John Lewis Kay

John Lewis Kay

of San Francisco, passed away on September 14, 2015, one day after his 96th birthday. He was born in Munich and escaped Nazi Germany when he immigrated to the United States with his family in 1938. He served in the United States Army during World War 2, and received the Bronze Star Medal for leading a thousand civilians in the vicinity of Torre del Padiglione, Italy, to safety under heavy artillery fire. He was a proud graduate of the Hotel and Restaurant Division of San Francisco City College, and at one time managed the Woman's Athletic Club of San Francisco (now the Metropolitan Club). He later worked for food distributor Gourmet Specialties.
He had a lifelong love for nature and especially enjoyed hiking in the Sierra Nevada and exploring the beauty of the Bay Area. He loved music and photography, and was an excellent chef. He was humble, kind, and generous to all, and he had a sharp and dry sense of humor. He loved spending time with his family, and was a loving father and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents Selma and Julius Kay, first wife Carla Kay, second wife Barbara Richter Kay, brother Fred Kay, and sister Ruth Wilkerson. He is survived by his sister Margaret Kaplan, his children Robert, Richard, Joann, and Stephen, his daughter-in-law Jennifer, his grandsons Alex and Gabriel, and his step-children Arthur Richter and Julia Richter.
Contributions in his memory can be made to Doctors Without Borders.