Richard "Dick" Lewis peacefully passed to rest 5 Feb 2012 at his home in Ridgecrest, CA. He was 90 years old.
Dick was born 20 Dec 1921 in Altadena, CA, a twin and one of five children born to Ruth and Walter Lewis. Dick came to the Indian Wells Valley as a teenager in 1936 , living with early valley pioneers Earl and tiny Standard in the town of Brown. He hand dug assessment holes for Earl Standard, was a cowboy for Nine Mile Canyon cattleman Jack Powers, and an apprentice lineman for the Edison Company. Dick and early settler Gordon Standard were instrumental in establishing the Mt. Owens Cemetery in Grapevine Canyon. He even prospected for gold in the Ballarat mines.
With the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dick enlisted in the Navy in 1942 at age 20, and served for six years. During his service, he was a first class Fire Controlman on the destroyer USS Frazier DD607, plotting and directing the ship's gunfire in the battle of Tarawa, among others. After the war, he served aboard the cruiser USS Fresno CL121 from 196-1948. He was honorably discharged and was awarded the following medals: Victory World War II American Area, Philippine Liberation (2) Stars, Asiatic-Pacific (9) Stars and Good Conduct.
Following his discharge from the Navy, Dick moved with his first wife, Barbara "Bobbie" Lewis and young son David to live in Grapevine Canyon. In 1950 he and his family moved to China Lake, CA where he began a civil service career at N.O.T.S. as an engineer, engaged with the development of the Sidewinder and Shrike missiles Dick was also a hot air balloon pilot for the Navy, and was involved in early attempts at Coso to derive energy from geothermal sources.
In the mid 1960s, Dick moved his family to the ranch on Brown Road. After 19 years at N.O.T.S., Dick left to manage Vitro for seven years. There he was involved in manufacturing Russian radar simulators and providing electronic engineers and technicians to support electronic warfare at N.O.T.S.
This industrious entrepreneur started Domestic Water Systems, a water well and service business, in 1951. Dick also purchased The Homestead restaurant in 1975, transforming this local landmark into the popular steak and lobster house that he operated for 30 years.
As a contractor, Dick was very proud of his "A" and "C57" contractor license classifications. He loved the challenges of the water well business, and would often say, "The first thing a person needs is air; the second is water." He was always quick to respond, day or night, if someone was out of water.
Many valley residents will remember the BBQs Dick hosted at his Brown Road ranch and The Homestead for both Rotary and the Scottish Rite Bodies as fundraisers for their scholarship efforts and to support the Maturango Museum.
Dick joined the China Lake Rotary Club in 1970, and held 41 years of perfect attendance. His many achievements included serving as Past President of the China Lake Rotary Club, where in 1972, he initiated the Paul Harris Fellows Program which led to both China Lake and Inyokern Clubs becoming 100% Paul Harris Fellow memberships. Dick was a charter member of the Inyokern Club, a Major Donor, Benefactor, Paul Harris Fellow and financial sponsor of numerous Paul Harris Fellows.
Dick was a life member of the I.W.V. Masonic Lodge 684, serving as Past Master in 1969 and was the recipient of the prestigious Hiram Award in 1995. He was also a life member of the Royal Arch Masons 153, and a member of Scottish Rite, York Rite and Shriners. He was the first person elected to the local school board, serving for nearly a decade.
Other organizations include member and past president of the USS Frazier DD607 Association, and the NRA. Over the years, Dick supported the I.W.V. Historical Society, Maturango Museum, and Inyokern Chamber of Commerce. In 2009, Dick was honored as the Grand Marshall of Inyokern's 100th Birthday Parade and was bestowed Honorary Mayor of Inyokern, CA.
Dick and his wife Nancy of 27 years loved to hunt and fish in the back country. He would say, "There are only two seasons — hunting season and fishing season."
Published Daily Independent, Ridgecrest, CA 14 Feb 2012
Dick was born 20 Dec 1921 in Altadena, CA, a twin and one of five children born to Ruth and Walter Lewis. Dick came to the Indian Wells Valley as a teenager in 1936 , living with early valley pioneers Earl and tiny Standard in the town of Brown. He hand dug assessment holes for Earl Standard, was a cowboy for Nine Mile Canyon cattleman Jack Powers, and an apprentice lineman for the Edison Company. Dick and early settler Gordon Standard were instrumental in establishing the Mt. Owens Cemetery in Grapevine Canyon. He even prospected for gold in the Ballarat mines.
With the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dick enlisted in the Navy in 1942 at age 20, and served for six years. During his service, he was a first class Fire Controlman on the destroyer USS Frazier DD607, plotting and directing the ship's gunfire in the battle of Tarawa, among others. After the war, he served aboard the cruiser USS Fresno CL121 from 196-1948. He was honorably discharged and was awarded the following medals: Victory World War II American Area, Philippine Liberation (2) Stars, Asiatic-Pacific (9) Stars and Good Conduct.
Following his discharge from the Navy, Dick moved with his first wife, Barbara "Bobbie" Lewis and young son David to live in Grapevine Canyon. In 1950 he and his family moved to China Lake, CA where he began a civil service career at N.O.T.S. as an engineer, engaged with the development of the Sidewinder and Shrike missiles Dick was also a hot air balloon pilot for the Navy, and was involved in early attempts at Coso to derive energy from geothermal sources.
In the mid 1960s, Dick moved his family to the ranch on Brown Road. After 19 years at N.O.T.S., Dick left to manage Vitro for seven years. There he was involved in manufacturing Russian radar simulators and providing electronic engineers and technicians to support electronic warfare at N.O.T.S.
This industrious entrepreneur started Domestic Water Systems, a water well and service business, in 1951. Dick also purchased The Homestead restaurant in 1975, transforming this local landmark into the popular steak and lobster house that he operated for 30 years.
As a contractor, Dick was very proud of his "A" and "C57" contractor license classifications. He loved the challenges of the water well business, and would often say, "The first thing a person needs is air; the second is water." He was always quick to respond, day or night, if someone was out of water.
Many valley residents will remember the BBQs Dick hosted at his Brown Road ranch and The Homestead for both Rotary and the Scottish Rite Bodies as fundraisers for their scholarship efforts and to support the Maturango Museum.
Dick joined the China Lake Rotary Club in 1970, and held 41 years of perfect attendance. His many achievements included serving as Past President of the China Lake Rotary Club, where in 1972, he initiated the Paul Harris Fellows Program which led to both China Lake and Inyokern Clubs becoming 100% Paul Harris Fellow memberships. Dick was a charter member of the Inyokern Club, a Major Donor, Benefactor, Paul Harris Fellow and financial sponsor of numerous Paul Harris Fellows.
Dick was a life member of the I.W.V. Masonic Lodge 684, serving as Past Master in 1969 and was the recipient of the prestigious Hiram Award in 1995. He was also a life member of the Royal Arch Masons 153, and a member of Scottish Rite, York Rite and Shriners. He was the first person elected to the local school board, serving for nearly a decade.
Other organizations include member and past president of the USS Frazier DD607 Association, and the NRA. Over the years, Dick supported the I.W.V. Historical Society, Maturango Museum, and Inyokern Chamber of Commerce. In 2009, Dick was honored as the Grand Marshall of Inyokern's 100th Birthday Parade and was bestowed Honorary Mayor of Inyokern, CA.
Dick and his wife Nancy of 27 years loved to hunt and fish in the back country. He would say, "There are only two seasons — hunting season and fishing season."
Published Daily Independent, Ridgecrest, CA 14 Feb 2012
Richard "Dick" Lewis peacefully passed to rest 5 Feb 2012 at his home in Ridgecrest, CA. He was 90 years old.
Dick was born 20 Dec 1921 in Altadena, CA, a twin and one of five children born to Ruth and Walter Lewis. Dick came to the Indian Wells Valley as a teenager in 1936 , living with early valley pioneers Earl and tiny Standard in the town of Brown. He hand dug assessment holes for Earl Standard, was a cowboy for Nine Mile Canyon cattleman Jack Powers, and an apprentice lineman for the Edison Company. Dick and early settler Gordon Standard were instrumental in establishing the Mt. Owens Cemetery in Grapevine Canyon. He even prospected for gold in the Ballarat mines.
With the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dick enlisted in the Navy in 1942 at age 20, and served for six years. During his service, he was a first class Fire Controlman on the destroyer USS Frazier DD607, plotting and directing the ship's gunfire in the battle of Tarawa, among others. After the war, he served aboard the cruiser USS Fresno CL121 from 196-1948. He was honorably discharged and was awarded the following medals: Victory World War II American Area, Philippine Liberation (2) Stars, Asiatic-Pacific (9) Stars and Good Conduct.
Following his discharge from the Navy, Dick moved with his first wife, Barbara "Bobbie" Lewis and young son David to live in Grapevine Canyon. In 1950 he and his family moved to China Lake, CA where he began a civil service career at N.O.T.S. as an engineer, engaged with the development of the Sidewinder and Shrike missiles Dick was also a hot air balloon pilot for the Navy, and was involved in early attempts at Coso to derive energy from geothermal sources.
In the mid 1960s, Dick moved his family to the ranch on Brown Road. After 19 years at N.O.T.S., Dick left to manage Vitro for seven years. There he was involved in manufacturing Russian radar simulators and providing electronic engineers and technicians to support electronic warfare at N.O.T.S.
This industrious entrepreneur started Domestic Water Systems, a water well and service business, in 1951. Dick also purchased The Homestead restaurant in 1975, transforming this local landmark into the popular steak and lobster house that he operated for 30 years.
As a contractor, Dick was very proud of his "A" and "C57" contractor license classifications. He loved the challenges of the water well business, and would often say, "The first thing a person needs is air; the second is water." He was always quick to respond, day or night, if someone was out of water.
Many valley residents will remember the BBQs Dick hosted at his Brown Road ranch and The Homestead for both Rotary and the Scottish Rite Bodies as fundraisers for their scholarship efforts and to support the Maturango Museum.
Dick joined the China Lake Rotary Club in 1970, and held 41 years of perfect attendance. His many achievements included serving as Past President of the China Lake Rotary Club, where in 1972, he initiated the Paul Harris Fellows Program which led to both China Lake and Inyokern Clubs becoming 100% Paul Harris Fellow memberships. Dick was a charter member of the Inyokern Club, a Major Donor, Benefactor, Paul Harris Fellow and financial sponsor of numerous Paul Harris Fellows.
Dick was a life member of the I.W.V. Masonic Lodge 684, serving as Past Master in 1969 and was the recipient of the prestigious Hiram Award in 1995. He was also a life member of the Royal Arch Masons 153, and a member of Scottish Rite, York Rite and Shriners. He was the first person elected to the local school board, serving for nearly a decade.
Other organizations include member and past president of the USS Frazier DD607 Association, and the NRA. Over the years, Dick supported the I.W.V. Historical Society, Maturango Museum, and Inyokern Chamber of Commerce. In 2009, Dick was honored as the Grand Marshall of Inyokern's 100th Birthday Parade and was bestowed Honorary Mayor of Inyokern, CA.
Dick and his wife Nancy of 27 years loved to hunt and fish in the back country. He would say, "There are only two seasons — hunting season and fishing season."
Published Daily Independent, Ridgecrest, CA 14 Feb 2012
Dick was born 20 Dec 1921 in Altadena, CA, a twin and one of five children born to Ruth and Walter Lewis. Dick came to the Indian Wells Valley as a teenager in 1936 , living with early valley pioneers Earl and tiny Standard in the town of Brown. He hand dug assessment holes for Earl Standard, was a cowboy for Nine Mile Canyon cattleman Jack Powers, and an apprentice lineman for the Edison Company. Dick and early settler Gordon Standard were instrumental in establishing the Mt. Owens Cemetery in Grapevine Canyon. He even prospected for gold in the Ballarat mines.
With the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dick enlisted in the Navy in 1942 at age 20, and served for six years. During his service, he was a first class Fire Controlman on the destroyer USS Frazier DD607, plotting and directing the ship's gunfire in the battle of Tarawa, among others. After the war, he served aboard the cruiser USS Fresno CL121 from 196-1948. He was honorably discharged and was awarded the following medals: Victory World War II American Area, Philippine Liberation (2) Stars, Asiatic-Pacific (9) Stars and Good Conduct.
Following his discharge from the Navy, Dick moved with his first wife, Barbara "Bobbie" Lewis and young son David to live in Grapevine Canyon. In 1950 he and his family moved to China Lake, CA where he began a civil service career at N.O.T.S. as an engineer, engaged with the development of the Sidewinder and Shrike missiles Dick was also a hot air balloon pilot for the Navy, and was involved in early attempts at Coso to derive energy from geothermal sources.
In the mid 1960s, Dick moved his family to the ranch on Brown Road. After 19 years at N.O.T.S., Dick left to manage Vitro for seven years. There he was involved in manufacturing Russian radar simulators and providing electronic engineers and technicians to support electronic warfare at N.O.T.S.
This industrious entrepreneur started Domestic Water Systems, a water well and service business, in 1951. Dick also purchased The Homestead restaurant in 1975, transforming this local landmark into the popular steak and lobster house that he operated for 30 years.
As a contractor, Dick was very proud of his "A" and "C57" contractor license classifications. He loved the challenges of the water well business, and would often say, "The first thing a person needs is air; the second is water." He was always quick to respond, day or night, if someone was out of water.
Many valley residents will remember the BBQs Dick hosted at his Brown Road ranch and The Homestead for both Rotary and the Scottish Rite Bodies as fundraisers for their scholarship efforts and to support the Maturango Museum.
Dick joined the China Lake Rotary Club in 1970, and held 41 years of perfect attendance. His many achievements included serving as Past President of the China Lake Rotary Club, where in 1972, he initiated the Paul Harris Fellows Program which led to both China Lake and Inyokern Clubs becoming 100% Paul Harris Fellow memberships. Dick was a charter member of the Inyokern Club, a Major Donor, Benefactor, Paul Harris Fellow and financial sponsor of numerous Paul Harris Fellows.
Dick was a life member of the I.W.V. Masonic Lodge 684, serving as Past Master in 1969 and was the recipient of the prestigious Hiram Award in 1995. He was also a life member of the Royal Arch Masons 153, and a member of Scottish Rite, York Rite and Shriners. He was the first person elected to the local school board, serving for nearly a decade.
Other organizations include member and past president of the USS Frazier DD607 Association, and the NRA. Over the years, Dick supported the I.W.V. Historical Society, Maturango Museum, and Inyokern Chamber of Commerce. In 2009, Dick was honored as the Grand Marshall of Inyokern's 100th Birthday Parade and was bestowed Honorary Mayor of Inyokern, CA.
Dick and his wife Nancy of 27 years loved to hunt and fish in the back country. He would say, "There are only two seasons — hunting season and fishing season."
Published Daily Independent, Ridgecrest, CA 14 Feb 2012
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