The Lewis Fund

Honoring Former Head of School Doug Lewis, 1927-2021

Summit reported with great sadness that Mr. Doug Lewis, former Head of School from 1957-1990, died peacefully in his sleep in April 2021.

Doug's signature is written across the contours of the Summit campus and in the minds and hearts of those who knew him—generations of students, faculty, staff, and families alike. He was the consummate educator—a lifelong learner and leader.  

This excerpt from Onward & Upward: A History of Summit School captures something essential:

"Mr. Lewis was above all a man of vision. 'He saw possibilities,' said his successor Sandra Adams. And because he saw possibilities he was rarely satisfied. Like Miss Futrell before him, he was always asking, 'How can we do this better?'"

And the focus of Doug's sense of possibility—always—was the child. As Doug wrote, "Here we nourish all who come, especially children. We answer needs, enliven hopes, spur talents." 

Doug Lewis was one of a kind. He will be deeply and dearly missed.

In 1990, the Lewis Fund for Faculty Excellence was established to honor Doug and long-time teacher Bingle Lewis, and to provide professional development opportunities for Summit faculty. 

Click here to make a memorial gift to the Lewis Fund.