Robert G. Lewis, 1916-2011
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefRobert G. Lewis, publisher of Railway Age from 1956 until not long before he retired from the company in 1995, died Wednesday evening, January 5, in Ormond-by-the-Sea, Fla., at the age of 94.
A native of Philadelphia, Bob Lewis began his career with the Pennsylvania Railroad in the operations department in 1934. He briefly worked for the Bessemer & Lake Erie in 1940, and returned to the Pennsylvania before joining the U.S. Navy in December 1941.
After World War II, Lewis returned to the Pennsylvania before joining Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corp. as an Associate Editor of Railway Age in 1947. Lewis served consecutively as Associate Editor, Transportation Editor, and Circulation Director of Simmons-Boardman before being named Publisher of the magazine and its associated technical monthlies in 1956. He also served as President and Vice Chairman of the Board of Simmons-Boardman.
In 1961, Lewis founded International Railway Journal, now based in England, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary as one of the world’s leading transportation publications.
After retirement, Lewis retained a connection with Simmons-Boardman as Director of Special Projects.
Services will be held at the Dale Woodward Funeral Home, 1780 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach, Fla., 32176, on Thursday, Jan. 13. Tel.: 386-253-7601.
An appreciation of Bob Lewis’s life and career will appear in the February 2011 edition of Railway Age.
