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In memory of

Ronald Dale Lewis

Forest Grove, OR, USA

January 3, 1927 - September 5, 2020

Jan 3, 1927 - Sep 5, 2020

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Ronald D. Lewis passed away at home in Forest Grove, OR on Sept. 5, 2020. Born in Maxwell, NE on Jan 3, 1927, Ron grew up in North Platte and then graduated from Fremont High School as class president in 1945. Prior to leaving Nebraska, Ron was working for the railroad as a summer boy and there was a freak accident and he lost his leg. Shortly after graduation, the Lewis family moved to Seattle in search of better opportunities. During those first years in Seattle, he spent much of his time trying to find a wooden leg that fit him correctly and would allow him to walk while working many jobs including washing dishes at the Public Market, as a draftsman for Boeing, as well as helping out at a local “leg shop”.

During his time in Seattle, he stumbled upon a wanted sign for sailors. Following this advertisement, he signed onto the Military Sealift Command. This began an era of many voyages across the world, among them taking concentration camp refugees from the war to new lives. After one particular trip, he took the bus to go back to Seattle from New York and decided to stop off in Nebraska to visit old friends with one particular friend in mind: Genene Jensen, a teacher in Beatrice. Ron showed up unannounced at her door and after a whirlwind 3 days, he set back off to go to Seattle and called out in the middle of downtown to a young Genene, “I’m going to marry you!” So began letters written back and forth for a couple of years culminating in an engagement and marriage in 1952 in Fremont, NE. The young couple honeymooned on their way to their new home in the Pacific Northwest - where Ron assured Genene that it never really rained, it was always just a fine mist that you barely felt.

Once Ron and Genene started their family, he started to work for the Washington State Ferries briefly before going to work for The Blackball Line as an Able-Bodied Seaman on the Chinook. He worked his way up working on the Iroquois -- a freighter in the Puget Sound -- and then to the MV Coho Ferry that sailed from Port Angeles to Victoria, retiring as Captain in 1989. His times as captain on the Coho were some of the most cherished memories that he loved to relive until the end of his days.

Ron and Genene raised their family in Brier, WA in a home they built themselves by hand after Ron brought home a book on how to build a house for $3500. Always an innovator, Ron saw an early version of a motorhome on the ferry so he became determined to replicate the vehicle for his own family’s vacations. Thus began the fun family camping trips in the “Gerschtenschlager” made out of an old mail truck. His many projects were always with the family in mind: whether it was buying all the old roller skates and skis at the thrift store so neighborhood kids could play street hockey or ski down the local hills, or helping his children hand dig a pool in the backyard so that they could learn how to swim.

Once their middle son graduated from High School in 1974, Ron and Genene decided that it was time to move from Brier to Port Angeles. They purchased property near the water and built another home that they lived in until 2004. They loved living near the Sound and smelling the sea air every day. Port Angeles, Sequim, and the Olympic Peninsula always held a special place in his heart.

Ron leaves the world not only with the memories of his sailing adventures, but also with the scores of artwork he created over his years. A dedicated artist and craftsman, he carved many beautiful pieces that will be treasured by friends and family as well as various pieces that may be seen across Washington State, in Victoria, BC and as far flung as China. He is best remembered through the beautiful carvings he made as well as creating beautiful furniture and incredible full-sized Carousel Horses that will be cherished by each of his grandchildren.

In 2004, Ron and Genene moved to Forest Grove, OR to be near their daughter and her family. Ron spent more time creating his beautiful pieces of art and they traveled to several places on cruise ships where he was finally able to step away from the helm and just enjoy the ride as a passenger. Although he struggled through cancer and other maladies, Ron was always positive. He was the perfect example of someone who never let life get him down. He lived through many generations of different prosthetic leg designs, smiling and laughing through the pain and hardships.

He will be remembered by so many for his many stories of life upon the sea, the cornfields of Nebraska, when Seattle was a “real port town”, and of course, his love of good food, wine, and family.

Ron leaves behind his wife of 68 years, Genene. His son Scott Lewis and wife Natalie of Tampa Bay, FL, his son Kurt Lewis and wife Miriam of Whitefish, MT, and his daughter Ann Amorine and husband Mark of Florence, AZ. He also leaves his grandchildren of whom he was so very proud - Matthew and wife Quinn of North Plains, OR, Adam of Seattle, WA, Hanna of Vancouver, BC and Delaney of Calgary, AB.

Dad, Grandpa, and Ron - as you said every night to Mom - “We love love love you”

A memorial is planned for a later date.

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