DAVID ROBERT LEWIS

Seneca, SC– David Robert Lewis, 82, husband of Joan Lewis, of Seneca, passed away Saturday, May

20, 2023, at Oconee Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

 

A native of Rhode Island, Mr. Lewis was the son of the late Edwin J. and Myrtle Butler Lewis. Raised on

a farm in Warwick, he attended Roger Williams College prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army where he

served in Tripoli, Libya as a topographic surveyor. Following the completion of his military service in

1966, he embarked on a lengthy career at Norden Systems, a United Technologies company, as a

manager working on the J-STARS and other defense systems until his retirement after 35 years.

 

A longtime resident of Bethel, Connecticut, Dave shared his love of baseball as a Little League coach

for more than 15 years, passing on his passion to not only his own children but also hundreds of other

children in the community over the years. A life-long Boston sports fan, he was quick to lend his

support to the Clemson Tigers upon retiring with Joan to the South Carolina Upstate. Dave enjoyed all

things outdoors whether golfing, boating, or working in the yard but never slowed down – devoting 18

years to the Pendleton Historic Foundation, working on an array of projects with his team in the

preservation of Woodburn and Ashtabula plantations. They recently received the Miles-Watson

Preservation Award for their efforts.

 

Over the past two decades, Dave shared his time and many talents with the community where he was

a beloved member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Walhalla, SC. He contributed in leadership roles

on the church council, as well as the property and Biggerstaff committees. Dave expanded his reach

through various mission trips including hurricane relief following Katrina, but he held a particular

passion for serving locally in the surrounding area, which he did on a regular basis.

Dave’s greatest passion was spending time with his family. He enjoyed beach vacations on Cape Cod,

Outer Banks, and Myrtle Beach. Later in life, he shared several European journeys with his wife and

close friends. He will be remembered for his devotion to family, how deeply he loved, and his kind and

generous nature to everyone he met.

 

In addition to his wife of 39 years, Mr. Lewis is survived by his sons: Scott Lewis (Cheryl) of Trumbull,

CT, Scott (Joi) Prud’homme of Woodbridge, CT, Glenn (Jessica) Prud’homme of Johns Creek, GA

and David (Kimberly) Prud’homme of Newtown, CT; daughters: Susan Ward (Nicholas) of Danbury,

CT and Kristin Lewis (Cesar) of Ashburn, VA; brother: James Lewis; grandchildren: Ashley (Richard)

Abercrombie, Meghan Ward, Emily (Orlando) Smith, Sam Ward, Justin Lewis, Sophia and Owenn

Prud’homme, Claire Prud’homme, Misha (Kylee) Prud’homme, Noah, Josh, Ellie, and Lucy

Prud’homme; great-grandchildren: Mila, Khali, and Wynter Prud’homme, Clark Abercrombie, Lando and

Olivia Smith; and many nieces and nephews.

 

A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 301 West Main Street, Walhalla, SC 29691.

Davenport Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.