Obituary of John Edward Lewison

John Edward Lewison, 82, on February 13, 2024, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. Beloved husband of Wendy, cherished father of Elizabeth (Robert Malvino) and David (Stephanie Lewison), adored grandfather of Joshua and Leah Malvino, and Sarah Lewison, dear brother of Ned (Dana Lewison) and Robert. Donations may be sent to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease. John was the son of Baltimore breast cancer surgeon Dr. Edward F. Lewison, former Chief of the Johns Hopkins Breast Cancer Clinic and inventor of rayable gauze, and of Elisabeth Oppenheim, noted concert pianist, who tragically died when John was only four years old. His father remarried, and he and John’s step mother, Betty Fleischmann Lewison, raised John and his three step brothers in a large, noisy house in the suburbs of Baltimore. As a child, John attended The Park School in Baltimore. He went on to receive a BA in economics from Columbia University in New York City, and an MBA from New York University’s Sloan School of Management, after which he began his long and auspicious career in human resources. Over the years, he held several titles, including Director of Human Resources in both the corporate and nonprofit worlds, President of the NY chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Founder and Editorial Director of the award winning HRNow Magazine, and Professor of Management. He was always looking for ways to better the working environment for employees and managers, and to support women, minorities and handicapped people in the workplace. His students loved him for his humor and accessibility as they launched their own careers. John was well known and respected among his colleagues, friends and family for his extensive knowledge and gifts—including fixing practically anything, playing Bach and Beethoven on his Steinway, taking gorgeous photographs, and advising people on how to write a good resume and invest in the stock market. He was also known for the ingenious ways he managed to “discourage” birds and squirrels from pillaging our cherry tree—an activity that put a smile on the faces of many neighbors. His good judgment, wise counsel, level headedness, wry humor and warm heart are legendary. John had a lot to be proud of. And yet, his primary sources of pride were his children and grandchildren—whom he loved so much. We will forever miss him.