John Lewis Obituary

Lewis
JOHN "DOC" H. LEWIS
April 13, 1929 August 2, 2018
Former CC Geology Professor John Hubbard Lewis, known as "Doc" to many, died in his sleep on Thursday, Aug. 2, in Seattle, Washington. John taught geology at Colorado College from 1958 to 1981, inspiring countless students with his dynamic and exuberant style.
He was born in James-town, New York, on April 13, 1929, to Hal and Margaret Lewis; and attended Kent Prep School where he excelled in crew, hockey and football. One of his proudest achievements was his crew's winning of the Thames Cup at the Henley Regatta in 1947. He earned his pilot's license at a young age and had a lifelong fascination with flying.
John was drafted into the Army in 1954 and was stationed in Germany, where he served as a medic and a member of the US Army ski team. Upon his discharge from the Army, John earned a degree in geology from Allegheny College and married Marilyn Rutledge of Warren, Pennsylvania, in 1956. John and Marilyn moved to Boulder, Colorado so he could pursue a Ph.D. in geology at the University of Colorado. They had four children: Patty, Mark, David, and Tim, before divorcing in 1974. John was also later married to and divorced from, Barbara Baird and Lizzie Smith.
In 1968, John was selected by the National Science Foundation to help map a section of the Fosdick Mountains in Antarctica, and a nearby series of outcrops (Lewis Rocks) was named for him, although he never saw them.
John left academia in 1981 and focused on a new career in woodworking, designing and building a passive solar-heated shop in his backyard, where he spent many hours designing and crafting pieces. He was a founding member of the Woodworkers Guild of Colorado Springs and produced annual shows highlighting the work of craftsmen and women all along the Front Range.
John was predeceased by his sister, Meg Woodard; and is survived by his brother, Harry Lewis; sister, Anne Creal; daughter, Patty Lott; and sons, Mark, David, and Tim Lewis; as well as seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Donations in John's name may be made to: Providence Hospice of Seattle, https://washington.providence.org/donate/hospice-of-seattle-foundation;
Washington Talking Book Braille Library, wtbbl.org/donate; or to Planned Parenthood, https://www.weareplannedparenthood.org
A wake for John is planned for October 21, 2018 in Colorado Springs. Please email Patty Lott at [email protected] for more information on the gathering.