Dr. Kirk Chase Lewis
Jan 18, 1927 – Feb 9, 2017
Dr. Lewis was preceded in death by parents, Keith and Muriel Lewis. He is survived by wife, Barbara Lewis; children: Kirk Chase Lewis, Jr. (Teri), Dana Diekroeger (Steve Willoughby), Hunt Lewis, and Bradford Lewis (Susan); grandchildren: Kirk Chase Lewis, III (Kelsey), Michaela Lewis (Fred), Coleman Lewis, and Ruby Lewis.
MEMORIAL SERVICE Monday, Feb. 13th at 11am at Dundee Presbyterian Church. Interment, Forest Lawn.
Donations may be made in Kirk’s name to University of Nebraska – Omaha, College of Business Administration, Dean’s Office – MH 300, 6708 Pine Street, Omaha, NE 68182-0048; or Dundee Presbyterian Church, 5312 Underwood Ave. Omaha, NE 68132.
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Dr. Lewis was born in Loup City, Nebraska but grew up in Ord, Nebraska. His dog Pal followed him to school every day and waited patiently until school was over. Kirk began his entrepreneurial spirit at an early age when he borrowed money from his mother to start a soft serve ice cream business and repaid the debt by the end of the summer. That spirit continued with numerous real estate purchases and sales. Kirk and Barb founded and operated Suttons clothing store for many years.
After high school Kirk enlisted in the Maritime Service (Coast Guard) serving on liberty ships in the Atlantic and Pacific. Kirk attended U.N.L where he was President of Delta Upsilon Fraternity. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from U.N.O. and his medical degree from Nebraska Medical School in 1960. He interned at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, then returned to Omaha for a residency in obstetrics and gynecology. He went on to private practice in Omaha, delivering more than 5,000 babies in over 30 years of practice. Dr. Lewis chose to deliver babies because “it was the joyous part of being a doctor.”
Kirk and Barbara delighted in the time they spent at their homes in Captiva Island, Florida and Estes Park, Colorado. They walked the deck of many cruise ships all around the world. Kirk took many opportunities to fish in Alaska, Canada, Colorado, Florida and Minnesota.
Kirk engaged in many forms of employment prior to the practice of medicine. He worked for a newspaper, drove a cement truck, Nebraska liquor commission, house parent at Nebraska school for the deaf and sold men’s clothing.
As a loyal Husker fan, he was president of the Touchdown Club. He was a member of Suburban Rotary and numerous boards in Omaha.
Kirk approached difficult events with resolve and a calm demeanor regardless of fire, flood or hurricane. He never tired of telling Barb he loved her “to the Moon and back.” Watching the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico from their porch on Captiva or seeing it go down behind MacGregor Mountain from their cabin in Estes Park were special moments to end their day.
4 Comments
I simply cannot believe I won’t get to have cocktail hour with Kirk ever again. What an absolutely wonderful man and a dear, dear friend. A tremendous loss to us all. Barb, I wish I could be there to give you a hug. I will miss him so much. My loving thoughts to the entire family.
Dear K.C.: My condolences to you and your family on the passing of your father. My dad was also an OB/GYN and I know there are thousands of mothers and their children who hold a special place in their hearts for your dad. Prayers for you all. Mike Grier, NE DU 1979-1983
Dr. Kirk Lewis
I called your old friend, Doug Dale who you grew up with in Ord, Nebr, and he expressed his regrets but spoke of many fun days so long ago. Goodbye old buddy, I hope to see you again some day (maybe sooner rather than later!) You lived a wonderful good life here, and raised a great family as well!
-Hugh
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