Walter E. Lewin

Walter Erich Lewin, devoted husband, father and grandfather, World War II veteran, and supporter of Jewish causes died on May 13, 2011, at age 87.
Walter was born in Kassel, Germany in 1924, the oldest child of Dr. Richard and Alice Lewin. In 1938, he immigrated to the United States. His parents and siblings Martin and Edith arrived in January. Walter stayed behind to care for his beloved Opa who had recently suffered a stroke. Walter followed his family to New York four months later.
At age 17, Walter volunteered to enlist in the United States military, but was turned down because he was not yet an American citizen. Ironically, he was drafted two years later. He fought bravely with the 335th infantry until Europe was liberated from the Nazis. After being wounded in a fierce battle in Central Europe, he turned down his commanding officer’s nomination for a purple heart. He did not want his family to hear about it and worry. For Walter, family was always more important than glory.
After the war, he returned to New York and went to City College of New York where he earned a degree in chemistry and started working as a research chemist. Later he went back to City College for a masters in business and became an accountant. He served the City of New York as a CPA for more than thirty years. In 1957, he married Hella Schild. They raised two children, Roger and Charles, and later enjoyed spending the time they had with their four beloved grandchildren.
Walter’s health gradually deteriorated after a heart episode in December 2010. He spent much of his last five months in the hospital. Hella was a presence at his side every day, comforting and caring for him. They were married for 53 years.
Walter is survived by his wife, Hella Lewin of Hartsdale, NY, his sons Roger Lewin of Poughkeepsie, NY and Charles Lewin of Pewaukee, WI, and their wives, both named Cindy, and four grandchildren: Evan, Jody, Alexander, and Ava. He is also survived by his brother Martin and wife Beth of Kenmore, NY, Ronald Premselaar of Fort Lee, NJ (the husband of Walter’s recently deceased sister Edith), and their offspring.