Leon E. Lewis, 74, beloved teacher, scholar, husband, brother, father and grandfather, died March 26, 2003, at Whidbey General Hospital after a brief battle with cancer.
He was an artist in the classroom, who used provocative wit and comic improvisations to illuminate his main passions: words and language. Mr. Lewis taught English for about 40 years, both at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass., and at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He received a doctoral degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where he met Patricia A. Keppel, a music teacher who would become his wife of nearly 46 years.
He was born Dec. 30, 1928, in South Boston to Wilfred C. and Anna Joyce Lewis, and was raised in Quincy, Mass. His father was a police officer in Quincy and his mother was a first-generation Irish-American known in the family for her lively imagination. The oldest son in a family of three boys and four girls, Mr. Lewis served in the Marine Corps and then used the GI Bill to attend Boston College, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
According to his family, he never took others as seriously as they took themselves, and had a keen interest in people from all walks of life. A charismatic teacher and friend who loved “performing,” he was essentially a private person who cared about the world of ideas. He loved his family, books, old cars, sailing, cooking, big band and Dixieland music, the comedy of Bob and Ray, fine cigars, and a glass of Scotch after 5 p.m. He supported nonviolent causes and was philosophically opposed to most forms of athletic competition. An excellent writer, he was equally happy working on a home repair project in his garage or reading a novel by a favorite author, such as John Updike. “All knowledge is of interest to the wise man” was a pet saying. His favorite pieces of music included Walter Huston’s version of “September Song,” Beethoven’s “Emperor” piano concerto and George Harrison’s “Isn’t it a Pity.”
He served as chairman of the English department at UW-Stevens Point, where he taught from 1965 until 1992. He retired from UW-SP as chairman and associate dean of the education department. He also served on the school board in Stevens Point.
After retiring he moved to Whidbey Island, where he enjoyed the spectacular view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca from his bluff. He looked forward to his annual nautical adventures on a commercial fishing boat owned by his friend Keith in Bellingham.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Wilfred.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia, Oak Harbor; two sons, Matthew (Soon Har Tan) of Elmhurst, Ill., and Martin of Berkeley, Calif.; four sisters, Joyce Myers of Stevensville, Md., Mary Allen of Hull, Mass., Eve Lewis of Hingham, Mass., and Anne Lewis of Squantum, Mass.; and a brother, Gilbert Lewis of Boston; three grandchildren, Clara, John and Gabriel of Elmhurst, Ill.
A celebration of his life will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. April 14 at the Sierra Country Club, Coupeville. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be sent to Friends of the Oak Harbor Library, P.O. Box 1838, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.
