Lewis graduated from Tomah Wisconsin High School, from the University of Wisconsin-Steven's Point with a degree in Education and from The U-W Madison with a master's degree in Educational Management. He served in the United States Army Anti-Aircraft division as a Sergeant First Class in the Korean War. On June 12, 1954 he married Ruth Ann Tallmadge in First Methodist Church, Steven's Point. He started out teaching history and social studies at Lake Mills Wisconsin High School and then at Marshall Middle School in Janesville. When President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, Lew was inspired to partake in politics. The next year he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly and was appointed to the Joint Finance Commission. The next year he became the chairman of the Conservation Committee. He was instrumental in the states ban of DDT and of passing a clean air and water bill. In 1976 he resigned to become the Executive Secretary of the Wisconsin Public Service Commisssion, which he served for five years. He returned to the State Legislature to serve four more years as Sergeant at Arms. During this time he helped activate the Affirmative Action Law. In 1985 he retired from the assembly but served on the Janesville City Council and School Boards. He was a member of First Congregational Church in Janesville, the Moose Club, The Democratic Party and several other organizations. He was an activist and deeply cared for others, doing much volunteer work. In 1988 his youngest daughter Julie was killed in an accident. Lew and his wife took guardianship of Julie's two children and raised them to adulthood, giving up their retirement plans to tour the country. Lew is survived by his wife; two daughters; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother; and his Beagle dog "Buddy". Besides his daughter Julie, he was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant brother.