Richard G. Lewis

1928 - 2018

Richard G. Lewis

- - August 24, 1928 - September 16, 2018

Richard George Lewis died peacefully at home Sunday, September 16. He was diagnosed with glioblastoma in June 2018.

He was preceded in death by wife Kathleen (Kathy) Moss Lewis. Richard missed her terribly. Each year he attended a lunch at her alma mater, UCLA, with the Social Welfare Master's student receiving a scholarship in Kathy's honor. He leaves behind daughters Carol (Wayne) Gullstad and Susan (Jim) Lewis. He thought his grandchildren Hailey, Connor, Trevor and Leif Gullstad, and Sarah and Ben Lewis were the best on the planet. All were thankful to celebrate his 90th birthday with him this summer.

Richard was a voracious reader and news hound, which made him well versed on politics and naval history. He was an enthusiastic Navy League member and enjoyed hanging around the San Diego shipyard from the time he was a small child. He considered himself an expert on the Battle of Midway and loved speaking to groups about the topic.

He digested several news sources each day and uttered, "The only good thing about my diagnosis is that I won't have to deal with Trump anymore!"

Richard's passions were USC football, the US Navy and his family. His priorities were definitely in that order on fall football Saturdays. As a graduate of USC and a 70-year USC football season ticket holder, he annually exclaimed, "USC had the best recruiting class in the country" and "God is a Trojan."

During his Navy years, Richard traveled the world and spent a year stationed in Honolulu during the Korean War. Hawaii always remained a special place for him. He still had the travel bug well into his 80s, enjoying trips to South America and Japan.

Richard (Dick, to his friends) had life-long friendships dating back to L.A.'s Fairfax High School Class of '47, The Order of DeMolay, USC, and the Navy. He talked often with friends Ralph Shaffer, Al Kafka, Sherrie Schlom (wife Kathy's best friend), Vonda White (longtime business associate with the 'golden voice') and Bennie Allen (like a third daughter). He made new friends out of neighbors and acquaintances, in Sun City and the greater Palm Desert area.

He had a special friendship with next door neighbors Rusty and Treneta Burns. He described them as wonderful people and considered himself to be "living next door to history."

Over the past 5 years Richard enjoyed the companionship of Sandy Chickman. They had fun times, laughs and adventures together. He valued her intelligence and sense of humor.

Special thanks to Dr. Anthony Bassanelli, who helped Richard with grief and mental wellness over the years. This summer Richard had a wonderful care team, consisting of care manager Diane Kelly, RN; dog rescuers Patricia and Abbie; the people at Trinity Gardens on Portola; the caregivers at Home Care Assistance of Palm Desert (especially Danielle, Heather, Marsha and Stoney); dog walker Adrienne; and the Mission Hospice team.

Richard was a lover of life, people, and socializing with anyone and everyone. He loved beautiful music, especially from the Big Band era. In his final month he often played Artie Shaw's version of "Dancing In The Dark" and reminisced about dancing at the Hollywood Palladium in the 1950s with Kathy. He was said to be tapping his toes to this music the night before he died.

In accordance with his wishes, Richard will be taken onto a US Navy ship, leaving from his home port of San Diego, for an official Burial at Sea. For those interested in memorial donations we recommend two organizations that were important to Richard - The United States Navy Memorial: https://www.navymemorial.org/donate-gift-in-honor-form/, or the Palm Springs Air Museum: https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/donate/