Rear Admiral Willis Ivan Lewis, Jr. USN Retired
November 24, 1930 ~ August 28, 2021
Rear Admiral Willis Ivan Lewis, Jr. USN Retired
November 24, 1930- August 28, 2021
Willis Ivan Lewis, Jr. was born in Royalton, Illinois on November 24, 1930, the only son of Dr. Willis Ivan Lewis, MD and Zoe Alice Lewis, a school teacher. As the middle sibling, he grew up with his two sisters, Barbara and Mary Alice in Herrin, Illinois. He loved cars, but his real fascination was with airplanes and the thrill of flying, building model airplanes throughout his childhood. In 1936, for his sixth birthday, his father took him for his first plane ride; he was hooked. Upon graduation from McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois, in 1952, he pursued his passion for flying. On the advice of his father, that being in the Navy he was assured a bed to sleep in after every mission, vice possible tents for other services, he enrolled in the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in Pensacola, Florida. These young wannabe pilots became Navy cadets as they entered naval flight training. In March 1954, he earned the prestigious wings of gold and was designated a naval aviator receiving his commission in the United States Navy as an Ensign.
In 1955, after his first operational assignment with Utility Squadron 7 (VU-7) at Naval Air Station North Island, California, flying a variety of aircraft including the F8 “Bearcat” and F9 “Panther,” Ivan was assigned to Fighter Squadron 124 (VF-124) in Miramar, California flying the F7U “Cutlass.” During his first deployment aboard the USS Hancock, he proposed to the love of his life, Marlene Florence Kolb, whom he had met while attending college in her hometown. After sending the ring in the mail from Japan, and having a small ceremony in Lebanon, Illinois, in September, 1956, Marlene, left her small, Midwestern hometown roots and joined her new husband for what would be a 37 ½ year naval career, spanning from California, to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Rhode Island, England, Virginia, Washington, DC, Japan, Hawaii, and ultimately back to California climbing the career ladder from Ensign to Rear Admiral.
While newlyweds in southern California, now assigned to Attack Squadron 126 (VA-126), flying the F7U, the F9F-8B and the FJ-4, Ivan would fly off the cliffs of the Del Mar shore to thrill (and scare) Marlene with his acrobatic maneuvers. It was there, in La Jolla, that the young couple welcomed their first child, daughter, Jennifer in 1957. Six weeks later, the family of three would travel to Pensacola, Florida, home of naval aviation, for Ivan’s assignment as an instructor pilot with Basic Training Group 9 (BTG-9) flying T2V jets. From there, they proceeded to Alabama for an exchange tour with the Air Force as an instructor pilot with 3615 Pilot Training Wing, flying T-33’s and training USAF pilots to be instructors. While at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, their son, Ivan III, was born in 1960. Always enjoying the thrill of speed, Ivan acquired a go-cart which he loved to race around the local track, having Marlene clock his time and thrilling Jennifer and Ivan III with rides. The go-cart remained in Alabama when the family moved to Sanford, Florida, where Ivan reported to Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 9 (RVAH-9), and made two extended deployments aboard the USS Saratoga, flying the A3D Skywarrior. Packing up the house for yet another move, this time to Frog Hollow Road in Orange Park, Florida, Ivan became the Staff Landing Signals Officer (LSO) for Carrier Air Wing Four. He engaged in training and qualifying pilots in carrier operations, where he flew A-4’s and F9F-8’s, and wrote the first Training manual for the newly established East Coast LSO School.
In 1965, Ivan attended Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Jennifer and Ivan, III were scholarly that year as well, as they took up, not piano, but organ lessons. Ivan envisioned them playing the classics that he loved. A year later, after completing the Staff and Command course, the family returned to Sanford where Ivan joined Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 6 (RVAH-6) flying the RA5C Vigilante, as he related often, the toughest plane to land on the carrier. While back in Sanford, it was fun having a boat, the MarJen. The family enjoyed water skiing, boating and down time knowing that Ivan would be deploying to the Gulf of Tonkin during the height of the war. Aboard the USS Ranger, as the squadron’s Operations Officer, Ivan flew thirty-three photo reconnaissance combat missions over North Vietnam and was awarded three Air Medals with 3 Strike Flight awards and the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star and Combat V. He returned from Vietnam with orders to Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 14 (RVAH-14), stationed in Albany, Georgia, assuming command, in 1969 aboard the USS John F. Kennedy.
In 1970, Ivan moved his family to England where they lived for 18 months in Pinner, Middlesex, a suburb of London. He worked as Assistant for Carrier and Reconnaissance Operations on the Staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. Forces Europe. Work life was grueling, but the family did enjoy the English culture and managed a 10-day vacation touring Europe, and later a side trip to Berlin (East and West). While in England, Ivan’s love of cars enticed him to purchase a 1951 Silver Wraith Rolls Royce. His pride and joy, it was driven in many a parade and car show, on Sunday afternoons to the amazement of many passersby, and in weddings, including, Jennifer’s and Ivan, III’s. In 1972, with the Rolls Royce in tow and the newest member of the family, Sterling, an English poodle, the family settled in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where Ivan assumed command as Commander, Attack Carrier Air Wing Six (CVW-6), aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt flying the F4J and A7B.
As all naval careers lead one to Washington, D.C., Ivan was not spared. Beginning in 1973, he served five years in the Pentagon and State Department, first in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) as Executive Assistant to the Director, Command, Control and Communications Programs. Two years later, he was nominated by the CNO as the Navy member of the State Department’s Eighteenth Senior Seminar in Foreign Policy. Ten months later, Ivan was back at the Pentagon, this time, assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff as Chief of the General Purpose Forces Branch under the Director of Plans and Policy. With all of his DC tours of duty, Ivan did find time for a father and son project: restoring a classic 1968 Ford Mustang convertible.
Ivan was rewarded for his time in DC by being selected to one of his most fulling assignments, as the 28th Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida, the flying Conchs. It was there he dealt with the military’s downsizing, the Cuban refugee operation during the Mariel Freedom boat lift, and revitalizing a naval air station while flying the station’s Beechcraft King Air, the Navy’s C-12. Following Key West, Ivan reported aboard the USS Mount Whitney as Chief of Staff to Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, responsible for naval operations in the Atlantic theater. Obtaining the rank of Rear Admiral, then referred to as Commodore, he went on to command Fleet Naval Air Western Pacific in Atsugi, Japan, and then to Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet in Honolulu, Hawaii, as Deputy Chief of Staff for Management and Inspector General, and subsequently as Commander, Naval Logistics, Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.
In 1988, following his overseas assignments, Ivan was transferred to San Diego, first as Commander, Naval Training Center overseeing the Navy’s boot camp for young enlistees and finally as, Commander, Naval Base San Diego, the “Navy mayor” of San Diego.
In August, 1989, after an illustrious 37 ½ year naval career, flying 25 types of planes, logging 4,573 flight hours, landing over 600 times on 12 different aircraft carriers, making 6 deployments, serving at 16 duty stations, making 24 household moves, commanding 7 major commands, rising through 7 promotions from naval cadet to Rear Admiral, Ivan retired. In addition to the Air Medals and Navy Commendation Medals, Ivan was awarded the Legion of Merit with four gold stars, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal with two bronze stars, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with bronze star, the Vietnam Service Medal with bronze star, the Humanitarian Service Medal; the Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon.
Settling in Oakton, Virginia, he continued what he loved, teaching others, as the beloved, Mr. Lewis, a substitute teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools, imparting his vast knowledge, experience and wisdom on the next generation of 3rd-6th graders. Maybe it was his love of gadgets and his ability to fix or rig just about anything that peaked his interest in technology. He was a self-taught computer guru, keeping abreast of new technologies, especially, anything Apple. Another object of his tinkering were clocks. He and Marlene, from their many travels, collected them, purchasing their first of over 45 while in England. Ahead of his time in many ways, Ivan designed the first in-car TV, rigging a small portable one in the back seat of the station wagon, for Jennifer and Ivan III to enjoy on many a Christmas trip back to Illinois. Not many know this, but before Forest Gump invented the Smiley Face and today’s memes became so popular, Ivan had been inserting his own signature smiley faces with a unique twisted curl in letters and notes. During retirement, he undertook the ultimate project, one he had always dreamed of, building a home. Even with his fix-it man knowledge, the challenges of building a new home from scratch proved real. Successfully, in 1994, he and Marlene, after making 23 houses homes, settled in their 24th and final one in Oakton.
It was there, on August 28, 2021, that Ivan passed away peacefully with his wife, Marlene, of 65 years, by his side. Ivan was a patriot; he loved his country, his naval service and most of all his family. He was very proud of Jennifer, following in his footsteps as a naval aviator, and equally proud and in awe of Ivan, III and his vast expertise and capacity in so many areas, especially, as an engineer for the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site. Ivan would be the first to tell you that none of his accomplishments would have been possible without Marlene by his side; she was the perfect Navy wife, mother, and best friend.
Ivan is predeceased by his parents, Dr. Willis Ivan Lewis and Zoe Alice Lewis and his nephew, Mark Deen. He is survived by his wife, Marlene Kolb Lewis; his sisters: Barbara Sloane (Thomas) and Mary Alice Deen (Richard); his daughter Jennifer Lewis-Cooper and son, Ivan, III (Kathy); his four grandchildren: Stephanie Cooper-Schad (Jamie), John Lewis (Lida), Rebecca Lewis Suits (Jacob), and Brian Cooper (fiancée Kelly); his great grandchildren: Cora Schad, Josiah Schad, and William Ivan Suits, his brother-in-law, Edgar Kolb, and his nieces and nephews: Elizabeth Sloane, David Sloane (Jan), Emily Sloane Reneau (Scott), John Deen (Tracey), Paul Deen, Beth Deen Dike (David), Wesley Kolb (Michelle) and Christina Kolb.
RADM Lewis will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington DC, in late 2022, early 2023.
November 24, 1930- August 28, 2021
Willis Ivan Lewis, Jr. was born in Royalton, Illinois on November 24, 1930, the only son of Dr. Willis Ivan Lewis, MD and Zoe Alice Lewis, a school teacher. As the middle sibling, he grew up with his two sisters, Barbara and Mary Alice in Herrin, Illinois. He loved cars, but his real fascination was with airplanes and the thrill of flying, building model airplanes throughout his childhood. In 1936, for his sixth birthday, his father took him for his first plane ride; he was hooked. Upon graduation from McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois, in 1952, he pursued his passion for flying. On the advice of his father, that being in the Navy he was assured a bed to sleep in after every mission, vice possible tents for other services, he enrolled in the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in Pensacola, Florida. These young wannabe pilots became Navy cadets as they entered naval flight training. In March 1954, he earned the prestigious wings of gold and was designated a naval aviator receiving his commission in the United States Navy as an Ensign.
In 1955, after his first operational assignment with Utility Squadron 7 (VU-7) at Naval Air Station North Island, California, flying a variety of aircraft including the F8 “Bearcat” and F9 “Panther,” Ivan was assigned to Fighter Squadron 124 (VF-124) in Miramar, California flying the F7U “Cutlass.” During his first deployment aboard the USS Hancock, he proposed to the love of his life, Marlene Florence Kolb, whom he had met while attending college in her hometown. After sending the ring in the mail from Japan, and having a small ceremony in Lebanon, Illinois, in September, 1956, Marlene, left her small, Midwestern hometown roots and joined her new husband for what would be a 37 ½ year naval career, spanning from California, to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Rhode Island, England, Virginia, Washington, DC, Japan, Hawaii, and ultimately back to California climbing the career ladder from Ensign to Rear Admiral.
While newlyweds in southern California, now assigned to Attack Squadron 126 (VA-126), flying the F7U, the F9F-8B and the FJ-4, Ivan would fly off the cliffs of the Del Mar shore to thrill (and scare) Marlene with his acrobatic maneuvers. It was there, in La Jolla, that the young couple welcomed their first child, daughter, Jennifer in 1957. Six weeks later, the family of three would travel to Pensacola, Florida, home of naval aviation, for Ivan’s assignment as an instructor pilot with Basic Training Group 9 (BTG-9) flying T2V jets. From there, they proceeded to Alabama for an exchange tour with the Air Force as an instructor pilot with 3615 Pilot Training Wing, flying T-33’s and training USAF pilots to be instructors. While at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, their son, Ivan III, was born in 1960. Always enjoying the thrill of speed, Ivan acquired a go-cart which he loved to race around the local track, having Marlene clock his time and thrilling Jennifer and Ivan III with rides. The go-cart remained in Alabama when the family moved to Sanford, Florida, where Ivan reported to Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 9 (RVAH-9), and made two extended deployments aboard the USS Saratoga, flying the A3D Skywarrior. Packing up the house for yet another move, this time to Frog Hollow Road in Orange Park, Florida, Ivan became the Staff Landing Signals Officer (LSO) for Carrier Air Wing Four. He engaged in training and qualifying pilots in carrier operations, where he flew A-4’s and F9F-8’s, and wrote the first Training manual for the newly established East Coast LSO School.
In 1965, Ivan attended Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Jennifer and Ivan, III were scholarly that year as well, as they took up, not piano, but organ lessons. Ivan envisioned them playing the classics that he loved. A year later, after completing the Staff and Command course, the family returned to Sanford where Ivan joined Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 6 (RVAH-6) flying the RA5C Vigilante, as he related often, the toughest plane to land on the carrier. While back in Sanford, it was fun having a boat, the MarJen. The family enjoyed water skiing, boating and down time knowing that Ivan would be deploying to the Gulf of Tonkin during the height of the war. Aboard the USS Ranger, as the squadron’s Operations Officer, Ivan flew thirty-three photo reconnaissance combat missions over North Vietnam and was awarded three Air Medals with 3 Strike Flight awards and the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star and Combat V. He returned from Vietnam with orders to Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 14 (RVAH-14), stationed in Albany, Georgia, assuming command, in 1969 aboard the USS John F. Kennedy.
In 1970, Ivan moved his family to England where they lived for 18 months in Pinner, Middlesex, a suburb of London. He worked as Assistant for Carrier and Reconnaissance Operations on the Staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. Forces Europe. Work life was grueling, but the family did enjoy the English culture and managed a 10-day vacation touring Europe, and later a side trip to Berlin (East and West). While in England, Ivan’s love of cars enticed him to purchase a 1951 Silver Wraith Rolls Royce. His pride and joy, it was driven in many a parade and car show, on Sunday afternoons to the amazement of many passersby, and in weddings, including, Jennifer’s and Ivan, III’s. In 1972, with the Rolls Royce in tow and the newest member of the family, Sterling, an English poodle, the family settled in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where Ivan assumed command as Commander, Attack Carrier Air Wing Six (CVW-6), aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt flying the F4J and A7B.
As all naval careers lead one to Washington, D.C., Ivan was not spared. Beginning in 1973, he served five years in the Pentagon and State Department, first in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) as Executive Assistant to the Director, Command, Control and Communications Programs. Two years later, he was nominated by the CNO as the Navy member of the State Department’s Eighteenth Senior Seminar in Foreign Policy. Ten months later, Ivan was back at the Pentagon, this time, assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff as Chief of the General Purpose Forces Branch under the Director of Plans and Policy. With all of his DC tours of duty, Ivan did find time for a father and son project: restoring a classic 1968 Ford Mustang convertible.
Ivan was rewarded for his time in DC by being selected to one of his most fulling assignments, as the 28th Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida, the flying Conchs. It was there he dealt with the military’s downsizing, the Cuban refugee operation during the Mariel Freedom boat lift, and revitalizing a naval air station while flying the station’s Beechcraft King Air, the Navy’s C-12. Following Key West, Ivan reported aboard the USS Mount Whitney as Chief of Staff to Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, responsible for naval operations in the Atlantic theater. Obtaining the rank of Rear Admiral, then referred to as Commodore, he went on to command Fleet Naval Air Western Pacific in Atsugi, Japan, and then to Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet in Honolulu, Hawaii, as Deputy Chief of Staff for Management and Inspector General, and subsequently as Commander, Naval Logistics, Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.
In 1988, following his overseas assignments, Ivan was transferred to San Diego, first as Commander, Naval Training Center overseeing the Navy’s boot camp for young enlistees and finally as, Commander, Naval Base San Diego, the “Navy mayor” of San Diego.
In August, 1989, after an illustrious 37 ½ year naval career, flying 25 types of planes, logging 4,573 flight hours, landing over 600 times on 12 different aircraft carriers, making 6 deployments, serving at 16 duty stations, making 24 household moves, commanding 7 major commands, rising through 7 promotions from naval cadet to Rear Admiral, Ivan retired. In addition to the Air Medals and Navy Commendation Medals, Ivan was awarded the Legion of Merit with four gold stars, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal with two bronze stars, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with bronze star, the Vietnam Service Medal with bronze star, the Humanitarian Service Medal; the Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon.
Settling in Oakton, Virginia, he continued what he loved, teaching others, as the beloved, Mr. Lewis, a substitute teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools, imparting his vast knowledge, experience and wisdom on the next generation of 3rd-6th graders. Maybe it was his love of gadgets and his ability to fix or rig just about anything that peaked his interest in technology. He was a self-taught computer guru, keeping abreast of new technologies, especially, anything Apple. Another object of his tinkering were clocks. He and Marlene, from their many travels, collected them, purchasing their first of over 45 while in England. Ahead of his time in many ways, Ivan designed the first in-car TV, rigging a small portable one in the back seat of the station wagon, for Jennifer and Ivan III to enjoy on many a Christmas trip back to Illinois. Not many know this, but before Forest Gump invented the Smiley Face and today’s memes became so popular, Ivan had been inserting his own signature smiley faces with a unique twisted curl in letters and notes. During retirement, he undertook the ultimate project, one he had always dreamed of, building a home. Even with his fix-it man knowledge, the challenges of building a new home from scratch proved real. Successfully, in 1994, he and Marlene, after making 23 houses homes, settled in their 24th and final one in Oakton.
It was there, on August 28, 2021, that Ivan passed away peacefully with his wife, Marlene, of 65 years, by his side. Ivan was a patriot; he loved his country, his naval service and most of all his family. He was very proud of Jennifer, following in his footsteps as a naval aviator, and equally proud and in awe of Ivan, III and his vast expertise and capacity in so many areas, especially, as an engineer for the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site. Ivan would be the first to tell you that none of his accomplishments would have been possible without Marlene by his side; she was the perfect Navy wife, mother, and best friend.
Ivan is predeceased by his parents, Dr. Willis Ivan Lewis and Zoe Alice Lewis and his nephew, Mark Deen. He is survived by his wife, Marlene Kolb Lewis; his sisters: Barbara Sloane (Thomas) and Mary Alice Deen (Richard); his daughter Jennifer Lewis-Cooper and son, Ivan, III (Kathy); his four grandchildren: Stephanie Cooper-Schad (Jamie), John Lewis (Lida), Rebecca Lewis Suits (Jacob), and Brian Cooper (fiancée Kelly); his great grandchildren: Cora Schad, Josiah Schad, and William Ivan Suits, his brother-in-law, Edgar Kolb, and his nieces and nephews: Elizabeth Sloane, David Sloane (Jan), Emily Sloane Reneau (Scott), John Deen (Tracey), Paul Deen, Beth Deen Dike (David), Wesley Kolb (Michelle) and Christina Kolb.
RADM Lewis will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington DC, in late 2022, early 2023.
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