Lewis F. Spitzer

Born Lewis Frank Spitzer on August 2, 1923, in Miami, Florida to Henry and Rose Ruth (nee Narvis) Spitzer, Lewis graduated from Miami High School and attended Georgia Tech University in 1941, interrupted only by his service in the U.S. Army in World War II. After the war, he returned to graduate with a Chemical Engineering degree in 1948.

During World War II he served in the 44th Infantry Division, 44th Signal Corps in Northern France, the Rhineland and the Ardennes-Alsace and Central European regions, receiving the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Battle Stars. In November of 2013, Lewis was awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal by the Counsel General of France for his service in World War II, acknowledging the efforts of American servicemen and women in helping with the liberation of France. The medal is France's highest military honor.

In addition to his Engineering career, Lewis was a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, with several published screen plays, some of which were performed by a number of small theatre and college groups. He was a life-long bridge player, and had recently taken up Mahjongg with his wife Toby. Along with Toby, he was actively involved with the Oasis Enrichment Program at the JCC of Charlotte.

Lewis will be remembered for his honesty, his integrity and his love of history, geography, literature, classical music and mathematics. His dry sense of humor, his witty jokes and his expert storytelling abilities kept friends and family alike mesmerized (with the occasional groan at the punch lines). Most importantly, Lewis was a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather.

Lewis is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 55 years, Toby (Thier) Spitzer; his cherished and adored daughters, Arriel Goodwin, Miriam Franklin and Naomi Moore; beloved granddaughters, Eliana and Carissa Franklin; and sons-in-law, Scott Franklin and Greg Goodwin.

Lewis is preceded in his passing by brothers, Murray Spitzer and Robert Spitzer.

Lewis was a member of Temple Israel and Temple Beth El.

A service will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at Temple Israel, 4901 Providence Road, Charlotte. Interment with military honors will follow in the Hebrew Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Oasis Enrichment Program at the Jewish Community Center of Charlotte; the Wounded Warrior Project; or to the charity of your choice.