Robert John Lewis' Obituary
"Bob" was born in Seattle, Washington on April 6, 1927. He had reached the age of 94 when he died on January 7, 2022. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was a crane operator on the floating dry-dock, ARD 15. One of his other loves was being a Mason. He had been a Master Mason since 1951 and was a member of the Shriners in the State of Washington. Among his prize possessions was his Shriners ring, which his wife of more than 50 years had gifted him in the 1980's, using one of her diamonds for the centerpiece. Bob was married twice. His first wife was his high school sweetheart, Mariel Irene Payne. Mariel and Bob had four children, Rodney Lewis, Geri Irene Lewis (Gates), Robert Roy Lewis, and Patricia Lee Lewis (Gzowski). Bob had 12 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren by birth and marriage, a niece, a nephew and two sister-in-laws. In 1970 he married Justynne Lyn Riederer (maiden name Amundson). Still living are her son Rance and grandson Travis and his family. After leaving the Navy, Bob became a diesel mechanic working in Seattle for LASME (Los Angeles Seattle Motor Express) advancing to Journeyman mechanic and shop steward. In 1958, he was promoted to shop superintendent over the LASME Portland terminal. When LASME was acquired by T.I.M.E.-DC, Bob transferred to Los Angeles as the Southern California Area Maintenance Manager. Bob moved to the San Francisco Bay Area for a similar role at Georgia-Pacific Paper Transport Division. He wrapped up his career as the warehouse fleet manager for American Stores Company (Lucky's) at their San Leandro distribution facility. Bob loved cars and racing. He owned and raced dozens of cars over the years. He met Mariel when he drove his Ford Model A to the Triple XXX Barrel drive-in on Lake City Way in Seattle. He especially enjoyed attending the 1984 Indianapolis 500, a Christmas gift from his family. Bob loved watching open wheel dirt track racing. He was the Chief Mechanic for the "Ray Quick's Triumph TR4A team", racing at PIR and Daytona, and winning the 1968 SCCA Northwest Region Championship. Bob followed his son Rod, brother Mike and nephew Dennis into hydroplane racing. Initially, he raced in the 20 Super Stock Hydro class with son Bob. Later he and Bob followed the rest of the family into 5-liter inboard hydroplanes. Bob retired to Donald, Oregon and continued racing 5-liter hydroplanes with son Rod.A New York Yankees and San Francisco 49ers fan, he also loved the Huskies of University of Washington. Bob had been a quarterback himself in high school. Boxing was his favorite thing to watch every Friday night on television. He loved dogs, having several German Shepherds, and a Standard Schnauzer named Skipper. Bob loved to boat and water ski on the Willamette River when his young family lived near there in Oregon. While living in San Jose, Bob had a 26-foot Chris Craft and 37-foot Silverton cabin cruisers in the Sacramento River Delta.While raising his kids, Bob set aside time to be President of the Beaverton Junior Baseball Association. He was baseball coach for sons Rod and Bob for many years, coaching Rod to a state championship. Bob was Chairperson of the California Trucking Association Bay Area Maintenance Council, 1984-1985. He was Chairman of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Machinists, 1957. Bob is proceeded in death by his parents, John S. Lewis and Nellie Cooper (Lewis), brother Michael J. Lewis, first wife Mariel Irene Payne (Lewis), and Grandson Kelly Raymond Gates. Bob leaves behind an amazing legacy: four children, twelve grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren, a niece, a nephew and two sisters-in-law.Robert John Lewis Graveside Service will be live streamed. Please use this link on the day of the service: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87240026692
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