Richard Lewis Hummelstown, Pennsylvania Obituary

Richard Lewis

Richard Alan Lewis, Sr., 90, of Hummelstown, passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2016, in Spang Crest Manor & Rehabilitation Center, Lebanon, with his loving and supportive family by his side. Born on the family farm in Cherry Tree R.D., Indiana County, on May 1, 1926, he was the son of the late William Merritt Lewis and Melda Marie Gromley Lewis. Dick was a retired construction superintendent having most recently worked for the Palmyra School District on the new wing of Forge Elementary School. He also worked for Quandel Construction Group, Inc., out of Harrisburg. He was previously employed by Spera Construction, Lemoyne, Jay E. Brenneman, Inc., Philadelphia, Norflor Construction, Orlando, FL; an owner of Londonderry Associates and H.I. Lewis Construction. Dick had many professional accomplishments, including building the dams and bridges over the Susquehanna River and Schuylkill River on the Blue Route in Philadelphia, the radio tower on top of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire, resurfacing the St. Georges Bridge in Delaware, building the barracks and church at Dover Air Force Base, and many water and wastewater plants, including those in Swatara and Derry Township. Dick was also the proud owner of Lewis Nursery, whose Christmas trees have been cherished by the community for generations; especially the blue spruce and concolor fir. An outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, loved taking care of the trees and his gardens, watching the various wildlife on his property, mowing the grass and riding around the property on his John Deere tractor. Dick was also a lifelong Pittsburgh sports fan, often reminiscing about listening to the Buccos games on the radio when he was a child. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Dick is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Mary Lou Ranck Lewis, whom he married on October 7, 1950; two daughters, Amee L. Vance wife of Ron of South Hanover Township, and Cindy L. Lewis of Hummelstown; a son, Richard A. Lewis, Jr. husband of Shari A. also of Hummelstown; a sister, Eva Elder of Carlisle; five grandchildren, Andy Vance husband of Megan, Marty Vance husband of Stephanie, Danny Vance, Brooks Lewis, and Brynn Lewis; four great grandchildren, Jasper Vance, Jackson Vance, Sadie Vance, and Thomas Vance; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his brother, Arthur L. Lewis. A private family interment will be held in Thompson Cemetery, Hillsdale. Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, is handling the arrangements. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Presbyterian Congregation of Middletown, 290 North Union Street, Middletown, PA 17057. Online condolences may be shared at www.trefzandbowser.com.
May 1, 1926 - November 1, 201605/01/192611/01/2016
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Obituary

Richard Alan Lewis, Sr., 90, of Hummelstown, passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2016, in Spang Crest Manor & Rehabilitation Center, Lebanon, with his loving and supportive family by his side. Born on the family farm in Cherry Tree R.D., Indiana County, on May 1, 1926, he was the son of the late William Merritt Lewis and Melda Marie Gromley Lewis. Dick was a retired construction superintendent having most recently worked for the Palmyra School District on the new wing of Forge Elementary School. He also worked for Quandel Construction Group, Inc., out of Harrisburg. He was previously employed by Spera Construction, Lemoyne, Jay E. Brenneman, Inc., Philadelphia, Norflor Construction, Orlando, FL; an owner of Londonderry Associates and H.I. Lewis Construction. Dick had many professional accomplishments, including building the dams and bridges over the Susquehanna River and Schuylkill River on the Blue Route in Philadelphia, the radio tower on top of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire, resurfacing the St. Georges Bridge in Delaware, building the barracks and church at Dover Air Force Base, and many water and wastewater plants, including those in Swatara and Derry Township. Dick was also the proud owner of Lewis Nursery, whose Christmas trees have been cherished by the community for generations; especially the blue spruce and concolor fir. An outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, loved taking care of the trees and his gardens, watching the various wildlife on his property, mowing the grass and riding around the property on his John Deere tractor. Dick was also a lifelong Pittsburgh sports fan, often reminiscing about listening to the Buccos games on the radio when he was a child. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Dick is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Mary Lou Ranck Lewis, whom he married on October 7, 1950; two daughters, Amee L. Vance wife of Ron of South Hanover Township, and Cindy L. Lewis of Hummelstown; a son, Richard A. Lewis, Jr. husband of Shari A. also of Hummelstown; a sister, Eva Elder of Carlisle; five grandchildren, Andy Vance husband of Megan, Marty Vance husband of Stephanie, Danny Vance, Brooks Lewis, and Brynn Lewis; four great grandchildren, Jasper Vance, Jackson Vance, Sadie Vance, and Thomas Vance; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his brother, Arthur L. Lewis. A private family interment will be held in Thompson Cemetery, Hillsdale. Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, is handling the arrangements. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Presbyterian Congregation of Middletown, 290 North Union Street, Middletown, PA 17057. Online condolences may be shared at www.trefzandbowser.com.

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