Fredric Lewis

Fredric James Lewis was born January 26, 1946, to Edward Arthur Lewis and Rosemary Carr Lewis in New York City, the only boy among five siblings (sisters Stephanie, Abigail, Diana, and Felicity). He grew up in New Rochelle, NY, and attended Regis High School in NYC. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, with a degree in Math and German. He spent his junior year studying abroad in Vienna, Austria, where he met Cynthia Ann Read (later Cynthia Alice Berry), whom he married shortly after graduation.

When asked, at the age of five, what he wanted to be when he grew up, he responded emphatically “a daddy.” He achieved this wish and became the father of a daughter, Emily Katherine, in July 1969, while astronauts were strolling on the moon. Between 1969 and 1972, Fred was stationed in Munich, Germany, serving with U.S. Army intelligence as a case officer covering the Eastern Bloc.

After completing his military service Fred returned to New York and earned his JD at Columbia Law School. Two years at a Wall Street law firm convinced Fred that a move west of the Hudson River would make good sense, so the family headed to Denver in the fall of 1974, and son Christopher Guy joined the family in May 1975. Fred spent the rest of his law career as a partner handling real estate and transactional work in three separate law firms (Holme Roberts & Owen; Senn Lewis; and Sweetbaum Sands Anderson), and retired with much celebrating in 2014.

He contributed often and generously to many charitable organizations and was an active member of nonprofit boards in Denver, including Family HomeStead, Early College of Arvada, Shadow Theatre Company, and Germinal Stage Denver (GSD). He starred in and co-wrote Rip! , a musical version of “Rip van Winkle.” A favorite character actor and leading man of the Denver theatre community, Fred exuded enthusiastic and dedicated stage presence in plays ranging from absurdist to classical. His most charming and memorable role was Frank, the English bookseller in Helene Hanff’s 84, Charing Cross Road at GSD.

Through the theatre Fred met and fell in love with his second wife, actor and author Jennie MacDonald. They married in 2008. Together they traveled extensively, fortunate to explore the vastness of this planet and set foot in extraordinary places: Japan, Thailand, Italy, Panama, Puerto Rico, Peru (trekking to Machu Picchu), Guatemala, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, Chile, Argentina, Brazil (to Fred’s beloved Iguazu Falls), Russia, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Austria (revisiting Fred’s college year abroad through International Education Services in Vienna), Portugal, Spain, France, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Namibia, Egypt, and driving odysseys to the east and west coasts of the United States.

Fred enjoyed skiing and snowshoeing, rock climbing (at the gym), racketball, hiking, and playing pool. He loved the outdoors, traveling, exploring new places, meeting new people, and debating ideas. He was a master of words and strategy, always ready to challenge the unsuspecting to Scrabble, Boggle, 5-4-3-2-1 with sugar packets, poker, and even thumb wars. He relished the daily crossword puzzle, especially as a team effort.

Fred will be remembered for his propensity to break into song or spin a pun at the slightest provocation. A connoisseur of music, he knew every word to the catalogues of Harry Chapin, Cat Stevens, and Joan Baez. He loved dancing. A good John Le Carré or John Irving novel was always a safe bet for a Christmas gift, as was any sort of crazy tie (before he happily donated them upon retirement).

Fred always believed in anything anyone wanted to do; that’s what made him a good partner, friend, family member, colleague, advocate in law and social programs for the arts, for the economically disadvantaged, and for the natural world. He was devoted to the dogs that came into his life with Jennie: Jake, Luna, and Merry. Many will remember his rapid-fire sense of humor, deployment of the family whistle, and crackerjack ability to put on all types of voices and accents. That warm and ready smile. He was a gentleman to all and immune to ego and vanity. He loved to teach everybody how to play pool, baseball, and golf, how to ski and climb, and especially how to be enthusiastic in the world. Perhaps few witnessed the tears of wonder he shed upon seeing the great wildebeest migration in Tanzania, his love for the opera, and his willingness to drive for hours to stand in the cold to view a supermoon or meteor shower—those were all Fred, too.

Fred is survived by his wife, Jennie; his daughter, Emily; his son, Christopher and daughter-in-law, Carla; two grandchildren, Sofia and James; three sisters, Stephanie, Abigail, and Felicity, and their spouses; numerous nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and -nephews; and many cherished friends. He was preceded in death by his sister Diana. He is deeply loved and will be forever missed.

The family suggest donations in Fred’s honor to any Colorado organization working for the protection of wildlife and wilderness areas. Please have acknowledgments sent to Jennie or Christopher. Memories shared on the Guest Book on this page will be treasured.