South Woodstock, Vermont

Robert F. Lewis of South Woodstock died at Merten's House in Woodstock on November 12, 2014. He was born at home in Swampscott, MA on February 21, 1926 to Robert F. Lewis, Sr. and Mildred Courtland (Jagger) Lewis.

Bob grew up in Swampscott and graduated from Taft School in Watertown, CT in 1944. Following in his father's footsteps, he graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1948 with a degree in mechanical engineering. While at MIT, he received a commission in the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II.

In 1945, Bob's parents purchased the former Woodstock Town Farm and the adjacent farm in South Woodstock. There he met his future bride, Nancy Gillett, and they were married at the South Woodstock Community Church on October 28, 1951.

Bob spent most of his career in the family business. His great uncle started Anthony Mfg in Lynn, MA in 1907 where he manufactured leather products. Later renamed Rob't F. Lewis, Inc., Bob's father moved the business from Massachusetts to West Woodstock in 1956, specializing in the binding of fine leather books, especially bibles.

Bob and Nancy moved to the Town Farm property with their three children, Courtland, Susan and Darwin; Sarah was born in 1959.

The family raised and rode horses on the farm. In later years, Bob and Nancy drove a pair of carriage horses literally thousands of miles on the back roads of Vermont. They loved skiing and spent many happy weekends at Mt. Tom & Suicide Six with a wide array of family and friends. They were avid recreational tennis players and travelled widely following Bob's retirement.

Bob served the community on the first Woodstock Zoning Board as well as the Ottaquechee Health Center Board; he was a corporator of Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. He and Nancy were quite involved in the development of the Thompson Senior Center. He was a member of the Round Table.

Bob is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Nancy, and his family: Courtland Lewis, MD (Barbara) of Farmington, CT, Susan Lewis of South Woodstck, Darwin Lewis (Karen) of Hartland and Sarah Lewis (David) of Pomfret. He leaves six grandchildren: Matthew, Elisabeth, Benjamin, Jameson, Spencer and William. He is also survived by his sister, Jane Kendall of Woodstock and numerous neices and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Virginia Harding.

A memorial service will be held at the South Woodstock Community Chapel on Saturday, November 22nd at 1 PM. Burial will be private.

Contributions in Bob's memory may be sent to the Thompson Sr. Center, 99 Senior Lane, Woodstock, VT 05091.