Obituary: Kenneth Robert Lewis

Kenneth Robert (Ken) Lewis passed away at home early Dec. 13, 2020, at the age of 96. He was born April 15, 1924, in Philadelphia, Pa., to Isadore Leonard Lewis and Reba Fox Lewis.

A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he returned from peacekeeping service in Japan in 1946 to finish college and marry the love of his life Ruth Flancer Lewis.

A bachelor of science degree in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Drexel University led Ken to new frontiers professionally. After working at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and Westinghouse, he became chief engineer at Vishay Intertechnology, Malvern, Pa., where he developed the process to manufacture electronic components that were used in the first Mars probe launched by NASA.

Family was foremost for Ken. Raising his three daughters in Philadelphia and Broomall, Pa., he took them on deep sea fishing expeditions with fried chicken lunches packed by Ruth. As his daughters married and had children, there were family vacations at the Jersey Shore – always needing to move to bigger houses. As the family began migrating to Georgia, Hilton Head Island, the Florida panhandle and Fripp Island became the gathering places with still bigger houses to accommodate four generations.

Ken and Ruth moved to Roswell from Broomall in 2004 to join family already in the Atlanta area. Other family members soon followed them. Ken never lost his “strong rooting interest” in his Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies and Flyers.

To the end, Ken enjoyed partnering with Ruth to play bridge at every opportunity and to play dominoes with all comers: friends and family and even great grandchildren. He also enjoyed weekly poker games and golfing matches.

In addition to Ruth, who survives him after 74 years of marriage, he is also survived by three daughters Judi Schnitzer (Stan), Sue Heavlin, and Carol Salmons (Fred); five grandchildren Brynne Goncher (Marc), Mitch Klasky (Cara Cimmino), Adam Salmons (Kyle Fellerhoff), Rachel Salmons (Jason Elgin), and Jenni Baum (Yaak); and seven great-grandchildren Harrison, Talan and Simon Goncher, Tatum and Evan Klasky, and Noa and Hazel Baum.

The family requests donations in his honor be made to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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