Paul Lewis

Dr. Paul Kenneth Lewis, Jr. passed away suddenly at the young age of 66 on December 19th, 2017 at Boulder Community Hospital (BCH) in Boulder, Colorado. He suffered a massive heart attack and succumbed in the ICU, despite heroic efforts by his doctors, nurses and caregivers at BCH. Paul was born on May 1st, 1951 in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Paul Kenneth Lewis and Corinne Ruth Edwards. He graduated from President Obama's high school alma mater, Punahou Academy, in 1969. Growing up in Hawaii, Paul became an avid surfer at a young age and continued to pursue the sport for the rest of his life as he returned to the islands frequently. Later in life he became an enthusiastic bone fisherman and could be seen wading in Kaneohe Bay at low tide with his son and best friend Reid. Paul received both his undergraduate (1973) and medical degree (1977) at the University of Vermont. Moving to Colorado, he did an emergency medicine residency at Denver General Hospital, then worked at St. Anthony's Hospital North & Central as an Emergency Physician. There he met his soul mate and the love of his life, Christine Marie Kraft. They have two children together, Maile and Reid. Paul's career was at Boulder Community Hospital. He planned to retire from his position as BCH's Chief Medical Officer at the end of the year. He was within weeks of retirement and getting into his SPRINTER van and driving off to the southern tip of Argentina. His gentle spirit, deep compassion and wise leadership have been a part of BCH for 34 years, 25 years in the Emergency Department and 9 years in Administration. He embodied all that the organization aspired t o be, as caregiver, as friend and as a loving family. He entered health care to make a meaningful difference. If this is the measure of a life, the fullness of Paul's life is truly immeasurable. Paul paired a playful nature with a disciplined work ethic, a poet's soul with an indomitable will. He was possessed of a venturesome spirit, a keen and inquisitive mind, unbounded energy, a natural athleticism, a spiritual connection to the environment, a love of animals, an unquenchable passion for life, and a deep devotion to family. He could play classical piano, design and construct a 200' perimeter fence, build a soccer field, create a stained glass lighted backgammon board, install a motorized garage door opener, decorate the world's greatest Christmas tree and vacuum a carpet like nobody's business. For 20 years Paul and Chris trained and ran marathons together from Athens, Greece to Santiago, Chile. As a family they ran the Chicago, Paris and Kenya marathons. Paul was fearless. He propelled himself off 14,000 feet on skis, jumped off towering cliffs in a hang-glider, surfed the oceans biggest sets, and fished the farthest reaches of British Columbia all with a bold passion. This, and everything else about him, will be missed by all. In addition to Wife Chris, Daughter Maile (Matthew) Grand Daughter Kaleesi Little, Son Reid, and sweet Allie their dog.Paul leaves behind his Mother Corky Shulman, Sisters Kim Tomey, Kyle Pyuen, and Brother Kevin (Lorrie) Lewis, Brian, Jon and Bruce Lederer. Mother and Father-in-law Rose Kraft and Jack Campbell. Brother-in-law Steven (Dorothy) Kraft, Sisters-in-law Debbie Kraft, Karen (Donald) Busch. Many Nieces and Nephews and adoring and heartbroken friends. It gives us great comfort to know that Paul was reunited with his beloved best dog friend, Riley, who passed 3 weeks ago. Lewie got more licks out of life's lollipop than anyone we know. There will be a CELEBRATION OF LIFE on Saturday, January 13th, 2018. Details to follow. In lieu of flowers please visit bch.org/paullewismemorial for donations.