Robert Charles Lewis Jr.

Robert Charles Lewis Jr. (Bob), age 72, passed away Thursday, May 31, 2018. He was born October 28, 1945 in Manchester, England. Beloved husband of Renee C. Lewis nee Clayburn. Devoted father of Vanessa Kim (Timothy) Panek. Proud grandfather of Matthew Robert Panek. Kind uncle to Jennifer (John) Wood and Jason (Teri) Phillips. Loving great uncle to Kyle Phillips, Madelyn Wood, and Charlotte Wood. Survived by aunts, uncles and cousins in England and Australia.    Robert was preceded in death by his parents Robert Charles Lewis Sr. and Ada Lewis nee Needle, and his only sister Vicki L. Hendren nee Lewis. Robert was an Air Force veteran who served as a jet aircraft mechanic during the Vietnam War. He became a policeman in 1974. He worked for the Penn Central Railroad in New York, and served as a Captain and Inspector for Conrail and later was a Supervisor Special Agent for Norfolk Southern Railroad. Over the span of his career he worked in New York, New Jersey, Cleveland, Ohio, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Chicago, Illinois. He loved his job and was very proud to be a policeman. Robert loved to travel around the world with his wife Renee. They were married 52 years at the time of his death. Robert loved his family and was so proud to be the grandfather of Matthew who brought him such joy. Robert will be missed by his family and all that knew him. Memorial Service Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Smits Funeral Home, 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane, Dyer, IN.  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Heart and Lung Associations. For more info, please call 219-322-7300 or visit www.SMITSFH.com