Walter Lewin (1930 - 2015)
Obituary
Dr. Walter Lewin
Walter Lewin, MD, 85, of Overland Park,
KS passed away Friday, Sept. 18, 2015 at Shawnee Mission Medical
Center. Memorial services will be held at 3:00 pm, Friday, Sept. 25,
at St. Michael's and All Angels Episcopal Church, 6630 Nall Ave,
Mission, Kansas, 66202. The family requests any memorial
contributions be made either to: The Arboretum of Overland Park, or,
Horizons Ministry at St. Michael's and All Angels Episcopal Church.
Walter was born in Hamburg, Germany on
August 25, 1930. He immigrated with his family to New York, graduated
from Stuyvesant High School, then later moved to Kansas and completed
his BS at the University of Kansas. He worked for the US Forest
Service and developed a love of the National Parks. He completed his
medical degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Walter
served as a Captain in the United States Army, and treated soldiers
during a major influenza outbreak at Camp Carson, CO. Dr. Lewin
completed his psychiatric residency with the Menninger Foundation in
Topeka, KS. He became Director of Outpatient Services at Prairie View
Hospital in Newton, KS, and was instrumental in creating and
expanding community mental health services. While in Newton, he and
his wife, Grace developed lifelong friendships in their foreign foods
dinner club group. In 1969, he began a full time private psychiatric
practice in Shawnee Mission, KS, and in 1977 was elected President of
the Medical Staff at Shawnee Mission Hospital. Dr. Lewin opened the
psychiatric unit at Shawnee Mission Hospital and served in
consultation to many of the regional psychiatric clinics and
hospitals. He was named a consultant to the German Consulate, and for
over 25 years provided evaluations for prison camp survivors. Later
he became a Regional Medical Examiner with the Social Security
Administration, making many friends while providing expert case
reviews. Dr. Lewin was a member of the American Medical Association,
Kansas Medical Society, Johnson Country Medical Society and American
Psychiatric Association.
He volunteered at the Overland Park
Arboretum, and served his church community as a member of the Horizon
Arts Committee, and as Father Christmas during the Advent
celebration. He traveled extensively with his wife, Grace. He loved
overseas travel and especially loved traveling to Greece. He took
individual trips with each of his children; kayaking in Canada,
touring the Wisconsin Dells, sightseeing in the Missouri wine
country, and visiting New York City. Walter and Grace were 40 year
members of a supper club group, and enjoyed many years of friendship
with their bookclub group. Walter is survived by his wife of 59
years, Grace M. Lewin, four children: Margie (Michael)Cox, Oklahoma
City, OK, Tom (Vanessa) Lewin, Grayslake, IL, Bill(Debra) Lewin,
Lawson, MO, Jim(Elisabeth) Lewin, Des Moines, IA, six grandchildren:
Jacob, Matthew, Eva, Catherine, Brad (Katrina), and Lindsay, and two
great-grandchildren: Gunther and Eloise Lewin. Walter was preceded in
death by two sisters, Lana and Hilde. He leaves a sister, Ilse
(Frank) Cavalieri, of Venice, Florida.
(Condolences may be expressed at:
www.porterfuneralhome.com Arrangements: Porter Funeral Homes &
Crematory, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS (913) 438-6444)
