Broken Pipes - Rich Lewis has passed

[gastro]

I am saddened to say that Rich Lewis passed away the other day.

Besides being an amazing pipemaker, he was also an amazing musician and something that is even more rare. An all around nice person. He will be sorely missed. Raise a pipe for him tonight.

 

[timt]

That is sad news. He definitely was a nice guy. I stopped into his shop a few times and he was more than happy to chew the fat. He made a replacement stem for one of my meers a couple years ago and did an excellent job. RIP.

 

[trouttimes]

Rest in Peace Rich.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I spoke with him about a Meer issue several weeks ago and then contact just stopped --- seemed like a really nice guy. If not hearing from him was related to any health issue I'm glad I didn't bug him. Would have looked forward to a trip to his shop - sad news for sure.

 

[bent1]

A good number of his clients / friends will miss Rich.

 

[sablebrush52]

Well...
shit...
Requiescat In Pace

 

[mingc]

May he rest in peace.

 

[kcghost]

Well, this is terrible news. R.I.P.

 

[daveinlax]

Very Sad News. I was a regular at his shop for a time years ago. I bought my first Castello from him when his shop was in the NSP building on Nicollet Mall in the 1980’s. I always enjoyed hanging out in the shop with Rich, Kevin and Tony Soderman back in the day. We had a nice time catching up on the good old days in Chicago. RIP

 

[warren99]

The great ones are all going: Negoita, Garbe, Barbi, Heeschen, Ivarsson, Learned, Ilsted, Hedegaard, and now Lewis. So sad.

 

[georged]

 

[Wet Dottle]

So sorry to hear. I too have been a customer, but it has been quite a few years. Condolences to the family.

 

[craig61a]

I live just down the road from the shop, and over the years I’ve had work done and bought pipes from him. I was just thinking about having a stem made for a pipe I own and having him do the work…

Well, RIP Rich and condolences to the family.

 

[Big John Shea]

Glad I had a chance to meet him. Still have a few ounces of a blend he made "Old Socks". Good latakia. Condolences to his family.

 

[dino]

I dropped my Rich Lewis rusticate calabash a few years ago, ruefully chipping the rim, and Rich repaired it, literally like new.
It is among my best smokers, and a reminder of a great craftsman and person.
May his memory be eternal.

 

[Papamique]

HOLY SHIT! I JUST saw him last Friday and sat and talked with him for hours at his shop! I told him that he has forgot more about pipes than I have ever learned and that was the truth! Wow! I am blown away and very sad to hear this, this morning! My prayers go up for his family. He was a great man, musician and tobacconist.

 

[Papamique]

 

[gastro]

members of the pigs eye pipe club and great northern pipe club are meeting at perfect ash on Wednesday June 7th at 6:30 to raise a pipe for Rich. All are welcome.

 

[jpmcwjr]

members of the pigs eye pipe club and great northern pipe club are meeting at perfect ash on Wednesday June 7th at 6:30 to raise a pipe for Rich. All are welcome.

Where would that be? And could you please put your location in your profile?
May Mr. Lewis rest in peace.

 

[hauntedmyst]

He was a terrific repair person. So sad to lose one of the few greats left.