Samuel Burton Lewis

Yahrtzheit: 9th of Av, 5773

Eulogy given by Rob Lewis:

Today I deliver a Eulogy about our Dad, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Uncle, Cousin, Brother, and Husband Sam Lewis, a man many of you knew, and many of you didn’t. Some of you are here out of respect for him, and some of you are here out of support for our family. Either way, on behalf of our family simply “Thank You”.

For those who didn’t know Sam Lewis very well let me try to introduce the man he was. Born, in 1926. Sam had a younger brother Jordan who passed away a few years ago, and he has a younger sister Lois who is here with us today. They grew up in South Deer Park. These three siblings were inseparable. While each had their own spouses over the years, Sam, Jordan, and Lois were the best of friends throughout life. When hurdles stood in one of their ways, the three siblings dealt with life’s challenges together as one. To my Siblings, I hope for us that as the years move forward that we can learn to love, be best of friends, and grow together from their example.

Dad attended New Trier , and then went on to Cornell. Dad had a short stint in the Calvary, which by the way lead to his love for horseback riding.

In the 1950’s Sam, and Jordan, formed a business together, Lewis Associates a Sales Manufacture’s Rep Firm, specializing in Sales to The Catalog Showroom Industry. The business thrived such that enabled 3 of Sam’s sons, and one of Jordan’s to join the firm. To sum up Sam and his brother Jordan’s career, both were inducted into The Catalog Showroom Hall of Fame.

Let me touch on Dad and his family, and see if you can follow his lineage. While divorced once, Sam was married 3 times. First to Charlotte Wolberg Miner, who is here today. They together, had Deidre “DeeDee” Lewis Berkowitz. They divorced in the early 50’s.

Then in the mid 1950’s Dad married Laurel Rosenthal Daube. Jeff Daube came as a package as Mom had been previously married to Paul Daube, and they too divorced at a young age. He is my big Brother, my Hero, and no one is a bigger fan of him than I. In 1958 I came along as Laurel and Sam’s son, and the sole Lewis child. Mom passed away suddenly in 1980.

In the early 80’s the biggest package was still to come. Sheila Baer Lewis, with her 3 children, Steve, Jeff, and Sue came into Dad’s life. Sheila’s husband Don, had passed away during the same time frame as our Mom. Sheila and Dad married in the early 80’s; as a matter of fact, the year after Jacquie, and I were married. Dad and Sheila have been married 30 years. Sheila and Dad enjoyed the fruits of his business success traveling the world, while living here, and in Palm Springs. Whether it was tennis, or golf, cards, or dinner dates, these two truly enjoyed their best years together. Sheila, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you how many times Dad told me how much he loved you.

So let me talk as Son of Sam. Let me introduce to you my brothers and sisters. Not referred to as steps, not halfs. Dad had DeeDee, who was living in Chicago a few blocks away from us with her mom Charlotte, her husband Marvin, and their family of three daughters. Dad raises Jeff Daube from grammar school throughout college, and Jeff joined the family business after college. Myself of course, he should after all I’m the only one that makes sense. Now comes Sheila’s kids, Steve is just about to finish college, Jeff Bear is starting college, Sue is finishing High School, and on to college.

What’s next... Jeff marries Lorrie Oberlin Daube, and they give Sam and Laurel our mom’s first two grandchildren, Ryan, and Dani. DedDee marries Craig Berkowitz, and she has Dad and Sheila’s first grandchildren together Danny, and Elyse. I marrie Jacquie, we have our children Andi and Shelly. Steve marries Haley and with them comes Dana, Jason, and Lacey. Sue Baer marries and has Ryan Cartright, and Aaron Ortega. Jeff Baer marries Mickey Aronson Baer and has Riley and Billie. Now back to the grandchildren, Ryan Daube marries Andi Broms Daube. They have Sam and Sheila’s first great grandchildren Jayden, Tyson, and Oakley. Andi, and Ryan, are expecting their 4th child this December, and on a personal note to the two of you Dad said a couple of weeks ago it was his hope to meet that baby before he passed away. Dani Daube, marries Sergio Zepada, and they give birth to the next Great Grandchildren Kedzie, and just a few weeks ago our newest family member Madison. Danny Berkowitz got married to Daniela Feldman this last March

So to recap, Dad had the following names that touched our family, Marx, Minor, Rosenthal, Daube, Oberlin, Baer, Gold, Zeitlin, Broms, Arronson, Cartright, Ortega, Zepada, Mitchell, Cain, Koltun, Comin, Dressner, and Plotkin. Until I wrote all of this I didn’t comprehend it.

And finally Dad, had 2 Jeff’s, 2 Ryans, 2 Andi’s, and 3 Dani’s (Dani Daube, Danny and Daniela Berkowitz).

If you wouldn’t mind I need to take a selfish moment to speak to my immediate family.  Andi, and Shelly, Grandpa loved the two of you so much. He loved the warmth the two of you exuded while sharing your life’s journeys. He expressed to me on many an occasion how special the two of you are, and I want to say to both of you I’m so sorry that he will not be with you to experience the joys he has shared with Ryan, Andi, Dani, and Sergio, and most recently with Dan Berkowitz, and his new wife, Daniellea. Jacquie, you tell a story about Dad, when we were first married he said so what are you going to call me now. You replied well what would you like me to call you, he said “Dad”. From that moment forward Dad was all yours. You were as much a daughter to him as I was his son.

If one word could sum up our Dad’s life; it was “Family”. The importance of love, and looking out after his family, whether it carried the name “Lewis” or not, was never discriminated. Whatever are last names are, we are “one family”.

Obituary in Chicago Tribune - July 17, 2013 http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?pid=1... Samuel B. Lewis, age 87 Beloved husband of Sheila Baer Lewis and the late Laurel, nee Rosenthal. Dear father of Deidre Lewis Berkowitz, Jeffrey (Lorrie) Daube, Rob (Jacquie) Lewis, Steven (Haley) Baer, Jeff (Micky) Baer and Susan Ortega. Loving grandfather of Ryan (Andrea) Daube, Danielle (Sergio) Zepeda, Daniel (Daniela) Berkowitz, Elyse Berkowitz, Andrea Lewis, Michelle Lewis, Dana, Jason, Lacey, Riley and Billie Baer, Ryan Cartwright and Aaron Ortega; great-grandfather of Jayden, Tyson and Oakley Daube, Kedzie and Madison Zepeda. Fond brother of Lois (Howard) Cain and the late Jordan (Joyce) Lewis. Service Wednesday 1:00 PM at THE PISER CHAPEL, 9200 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL. Interment Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the JUF, 30 S. Wells St., Chicago, IL. 60606. Inf. 847-679-4740. Published in a Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication on July 17, 2013 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?pid=1...

The Sentinel, Thursday, January 12, 1939; Page 19
Announcement is being made that the bar mitzvah of Samuel Burton Lewis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Isidore L. Lewis of 6231 Kenmore Avenue, will take place Friday night, January 13, at Temple Mizpah, 1615 Morse Avenue. Following the services, a reception will be held at the Temple.