From the Office of Bishop Grant J. Hagiya
In sadness, we share the news that Rev. Dr. Bert Newell Lewis died on Friday, November 19, 2021.
Rev. Lewis was a retired elder in the Desert Southwest Conference. He was born in 1940 and attended Tucson schools, becoming a graduate of the University of Arizona. He earned degrees from Claremont School of Theology. He was admitted on trial in 1964 in the Southern California-Arizona Conference of the Methodist Church and served as the assistant at Maynard Memorial in Los Angeles. In 1967, he became the Minister of Youth at Central Methodist Church in Phoenix. He served in the Southern California-Arizona Conference of The United Methodist Church at Christ UMC in Norwalk CA. He entered into full connection in 1969. In 1970, he served at Valencia UMC in Placentia, CA and at University UMC in Las Vegas, NV. In the Pacific & Southwest Conference of The United Methodist Church, Rev. Lewis served at University UMC in Las Vegas, NV in 1977; St. Mark’s UMC in San Diego, CA in 1980; University UMC in Irvine, CA in 1982 and Dayspring UMC in Tempe, AZ in 1984. Finally, in the Desert Southwest Conference of The United Methodist Church, he served at Dayspring United Methodist Church until he entered retirement in 2000.
Rev. Lewis was known as an inspiring and engaging preacher who built up every congregation he served. He oversaw the building of three of the church sanctuaries. He served as the conference secretary for 8 years in the California-Pacific conference and for 2 years at the founding of the Desert Southwest Conference.
Rev. Lewis and his wife Patti were inseparable in supporting the churches and always had fun together. They visited many foreign countries, took French cooking classes, as well as canoeing the wildernesses of Canada. They were married over 60 years. Rev. Lewis treasured his family, their 2 daughters, 4 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
A private memorial service will take place for the family. No public memorial will be held.
Condolences can be sent to:
Mrs. Patti Lewis
11009 E Placita Cumbia
Tucson, AZ 85730-5814
Memorial gifts can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
We join our hearts together in grief, acknowledging our human loss. May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort; in sorrow, hope; and in death, resurrection. With gratitude for the life and ministry of Rev. Dr. Bert Lewis, please hold his family and friends in prayer at this time.
