Dr. Eugene W. Lewis of Plano, Texas passed away October 28, 2017, at the age 84. He was born December 3, 1932, to Eugene Earl Lewis and Maybelle (Sanders) Lewis in Southside of Chicago, Illinois. Eugene was a quintessential Midwesterner. He was the oldest of three brothers. After Eugene graduated high school at the age of 15, he received his bachelor’s at the University of Chicago, a master’s degree at the University of Illinois, and his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan.
During his decades of work in the private sector, he designed and tested rocket engines at Rocket Dyne, designed and tested Tomahawk missiles for Martin Marietta, tested the conformity and feasibility of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile nose cones at Bendix Corporation, and built engines for Ford Motor’s Aircraft Division. He moved to the Washington DC area to work on weapons system evaluation for the Institute for Defense Analysis prior to joining the Commerce Department.
During his 31 years with Commerce, Eugene held numerous positions, including the Director position for the Deemed Export Division. His most recent job with Bureau of Industry and Security was with the Chemical and Biological Controls Division of the Office of Nonproliferation and Treaty Compliance.
Eugene was a member of Mensa International and a University Alum of Chicago, Illinois, and Michigan.
He was a Naval Reservist, Ford B-36 Aircraft Engine Designer, Rocket Dyne Rocket Designer, Bendix Aerospace Re-Entry Designer, Martine Marietta Tomahawk Missile Designer and an analyst for the Institute for Defense Analysis Weapons.
Eugene’s skilled interest included: race car driver, ski instructor, competitive diver and swimmer, competitive pole vaulter, baseball pitcher, surfer, painter, photographer, and fountain pen collector.
He was a proud owner of his 1968 and 1995 Corvettes.
He is survived by daughter, Lisa Ducher of Porter, Texas; sons, Karl Lewis and wife Zoe of Plano, Texas and Kirk Lewis of Amarillo, Texas; grandchildren, Angela Lewis, Julia Lewis, Ashley Lewis, Brittany Lewis, and Brandon Lewis; great-grandchildren, Zachary Palacios and Brock Lewis; brother, Richard Lewis and wife, Ruth of Downers Grove, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.
Eugene was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert Lewis.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon, Thursday, November 2, 2017 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel in Allen, Texas. A reception is to follow the service. The interment is to follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Wednesday evening from 7:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.