Donald M. Lewis – 50th Reunion Essay

Donald M. Lewis

53 Kira Dr

Bangor, ME 04401

dmlarch8@gmail.com

(207) 460-3761

College: Davenport

As we hit the big 7-0, it’s been over 25 years since Classnotes referred to my “40 acres and a dog” as my “estate in Maine.” The 40 acres and the dog are long gone in favor of a new house on less than one acre in Bangor. Grown kids Anya and Gabe have moved on to art, gymnastics and financial careers in NYC. No grandkids yet but we’re still hoping.

After Yale, I got my architecture degree from MIT, married, worked in Boston for a while, then moved to Maine. We thought we’d do a lot of camping and canoeing for a year or two, then move somewhere more sensible. We’re still here 45 years later. Along with work, served on several community boards and 6 years as board member then president of the Maine Humanities Council. Was involved for over 30 years with the men’s movement and several groups that met monthly for 30 years. Was very supportive of the feminist movement until it morphed recently into something akin to the Black Panthers of the ’60s except that it threatens with accusations instead of guns.

In 2016 I retired and sold my architecture firm to a longtime employee. We had designed over 40 schools, churches and public buildings as well as a few homes. Along the way winning a few design and energy-efficiency awards. Twenty-five years ago I retired from skiing and from the no-checking men’s hockey league. Still avidly follow the UMaine hockey team and the San Francisco Giants.

After retirement, some needed body parts were replaced, including a new kidney donated by my wife, Terri. This proved that our 47-year marriage is based on more than just psychosexual compatibility. However, all the new parts did not make me 30 years old again, as I’d hoped. Conversations with friends now often resemble organ recitals.

My remaining retirement time has been occupied by writing, managing accumulated financial affairs, and study of Jewish ancient wisdom texts. (The terms kaballah and mysticism having been so co-opted and corrupted by popular culture as to be useless.)

Recent remaining time also included visits and reminiscing with longtime friends and relatives in Tennesee, North Carolina and Virginia. Over the years have been in touch sporadically with Davenporters Joe Mohrman, Bob Horvitz and Reed Hundt. Reed and I recently reminisced about the time we nearly set each other on fire camping in the New Hampshire woods.