Robert Roe "Bobby" Lewis

CASA BLANCA - Robert Roe "Bobby" Lewis, 80, died on Aug. 28, 2017.
Mr. Lewis was born on March 31, 1937, in Phoenix and was a son of the Rev. Dr. Roe B. and Sallie E. Lewis. He was an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community and graduated from Sacaton Elementary School. He then attended North Phoenix High School, graduating in 1954. He attended and graduated from Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington, with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He also earned a master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University. He was an outstanding middle distance runner at Whitworth. He served honorably in the Army and was an intelligence analyst and stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was assigned to the Army Special Warfare Center.
He was a probation officer for Pinal County, working with young offenders prior to being inducted into the Army. After serving in the Army, he was employed by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, first as a director of the youth home and subsequently as director of the community social services program. He worked for the community for more than 30 years. He developed and administered the first transition of U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs social services programs to an Indian tribe. He served on the advisory board for the school of social work at ASU, where he was also an adjunct instructor, and was also the first Native American representative to the Alumni Association. He was a teacher, mentor and adviser to several generations of Native American social workers. His intellect, insightfulness and patient guidance paved the way for new understanding and innovative and effective techniques in Native American social work. He was widely admired for his dignity and integrity.
He was active in the Presbyterian Church (USA) as an elder and a member of the choir for Central Presbyterian Church in Phoenix. He was associate for Native American Ministries for the Grand Canyon Presbytery and served on the Synod of the Southwest’s Native American Consulting Committee. He was the first Native American moderator of the Grand Canyon Presbytery. He also served on the Presbyterian General Assembly Mission Council, the highest ruling body of the church. He was also a chairman of the board of Cook Christian Training School in Tempe.
He is survived by his wife, Allison (Sekaquaptewa) Lewis, whom he married in 1960; a son, Richard C. Lewis; two brothers, Rodney B. and John R. Lewis; and a grandson. He was preceded in death by two sons, Blaine and Mark Lewis.
Wake service from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the District 5 Multiservice Center in Casa Blanca. Funeral at 6 a.m. Wednesday at Vah-Ki Presbyterian Church. Burial service in Upper San Tan Cemetery. Meal to follow.
J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel in charge of arrangements.