It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Theodore Lewis, 95, of Myerstown, PA, who joined his son, Bobby, peacefully on June 20, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Bob was born at home on June 20, 1930, in New Windsor, NY, to Theodore and Beatrice Lewis (Schofield). He graduated from Cornwall High School in 1948. He married the love of his life, Jean Lewis, on April 9, 1956, and they celebrated 69 wonderful years of life, coffee, and living out their dreams of traveling abroad.
Bob lived a life of service to his community. From 1951 to 1954, he served as a corporal with Headquarters Detachment-1808 Army Service Unit as a substance storage specialist, having served in Okinawa. He served as a part-time constable for the Town of Cornwall from 1954 to 1965. He was a meat cutter at Schofield’s Meat Market on Main Street prior to being hired at the West Point Commissary on April 14, 1960. He was a charter/lifetime member of Mountainville Fire Company, where he served in the role of captain and accepted the first resuscitator machine in town. He served as an honorary member, assistant fire chief of Highland Engine Company from 1963 to 1966, and fire chief from 1966 to 1967. He was the last remaining charter member of Mountainville Fire Company. Bob accepted a transfer from the West Point Commissary to the West Point Fire Department Local F-7 on May 3, 1970, eventually being promoted to crew chief. He retired from federal service in 1988.
He served on the Town of Cornwall Planning Board from 1970 to 1993 and was coined as one of “Taylor’s Toughies” for protecting the orderly growth of the town and the people who resided in Cornwall. In 2008, he was recognized by the Fireman’s Association of New York, Orange County Legislature, New York Senate, and the New York Department of State for 50 years of active service, as a charter member of Mountainville Fire Company and as a former assistant fire chief and fire chief of the Highland Engine Company. The Town Board of the Town of Cornwall was quoted as saying he set the standard for all men and women to try to meet in service to their community. After his retirement, he continued his work with Kennedy Trucking, delivering drywall to the twin towers during their initial construction.
Aside from his decorated civic service to his beloved community, Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, traveler, boy scout, hunter, butcher, expert cook, and woodworker. He was known to many by various names, including Grandpa, Pop, Bob, Robert, and Buckey.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Lewis; children, David (Cathy), Susan, and Sharon (Dominick); grandchildren, Dan (Joan), Melissa (Brad), David (Elizabeth), Jackie (Rose), Sean (Mary), Casey, Nick (Emily), Chris, and Brandon (Courtney); and beloved great-grandchildren, Grace, Briella, Jaxson, Cassius, Matthew, Saphira, Cora, Elizabeth, Scarlett, and Adelaine. He was predeceased by his son, Bob Lewis.
Bob will be remembered for his smile, intense listening abilities, sharp wit, life advice, cooking abilities, and unwavering love for his family. A military funeral will be held at Fort Indiantown Gap on July 2 at 10:30 a.m. All who wish to attend the funeral are requested to be there no later than 10 a.m. A reception will follow at 11:15 a.m. at the Arbor Gate Recreational Center, 59 Springhouse Dr., Myerstown, PA 17067. All who know Bob are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert’s name can be sent to Mountainville Engine Company #3, P.O. Box 11, Mountainville, NY 10953, or the Highland Engine Company #1, P.O. Box 22, Cornwall, NY 12518.
