Alan Ervin Lewis, M.D., of Scottsdale, Ariz., died on May 21 following cardiac surgery. He was 72.
A native of Milwaukee, Lewis graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in two years and earned the highest average in Marquette University School of Medicine (currently the Medical College of Wisconsin) history, his family stated in a letter.
Prior to beginning his private medical career, Lewis served in the U.S. Navy as a destroyer squadron physician. Upon completing his service, Lewis practiced endocrinology in Philadelphia until 1987, when he moved to Mesa, Ariz.
Lewis was known as a “patient advocate” and was “frequently cited by Phoenix Magazine as a ‘Top Doc,’” according to his family. He was a member of the Endocrine Society and the Pennsylvania Medical Society.
Among Lewis’ interests were history, archaeology and Jewish studies, but he held a special passion for music. An “accomplished clarinetist,” Lewis maintained a library of thousands of albums, most of it operatic music. He had planned to write a book about his favorite opera, Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” his family said.
Out of his love of literature, Lewis taught himself French, Russian and Italian in order to read the works of Marcel Proust, Anton Chekhov and Dante Alighieri in their original languages.
Lewis is survived by his wife, Sandra Lewis of Scottsdale, Ariz.; sons Scott (Audrey) Lewis and Brandt Lewis, both of Phoenix; sister Carol Lewis of New York and two grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Sinai Mortuary of Arizona. Services were held on May 30 at Temple Chai and burial was in National Memorial Cemetery, both in Phoenix.
Memorial contributions to the Jewish National Fund, 1645 E. Missouri Ave., Suite 110, Phoenix, Ariz., 85016, Youth Aliyah or a charity of the donor’s choice are appreciated by the family.
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