Lewis, who died at his home unexpectedly on Oct. 2, was 61 years old.
He began his career in dining services at Northern Illinois University before moving to California in 1980 to work for California State University in Los Angeles, where he also obtained his MBA. In 1986, he moved to the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., where he met and married his wife, Peggy. Before returning to the Midwest, Lewis spent time working at the University of Maine. He also filled the director of dining position at Iowa State University.
He began working at Ball State in January 2006, just seven months after Leisa Julian, the associate vice president for business and auxiliary services.
Julian was a close colleague to Lewis and said he was “soft-spoken with a light-hearted wit.” She said his work ethic was also positively influenced by his outgoing and friendly personality.
Above all else, Julian said she would miss Lewis and the advancements he brought to the university.
“He was an experienced and dedicated colleague who worked ardently to make BSU's dining operation the award-winning contemporary, customer-centric operation that it is today,” Julian said. “I will miss Jon.”
Along with his soft-spoken, witty and sociable personality, Julian said Lewis was also a clever businessman and a leader.
“Dining services is a huge operation on campus, and [Lewis] was admired for his ability to see employees as future leaders and inspired many to achieve their potential," she said.
Ball State is home to 14 dining locations serving more than 4.8 million meals a year, Julian said. When running such a large operation, she said it was Lewis that not only kept the business moving, but made improvements and advancements wherever he could.
“With Lewis's 40-plus years of experience in university food service operations, he was very knowledgeable and adept at handling a university food service operation of this size with a strong sense of business acumen,” Julian said. “I always was impressed with how many employees he mentored over the years to move up the career ladder in the university food service world, and many became directors in their own right at other places.”
In addition to being dedicated to his work, Julian said he was also devoted to his family.
When Lewis was awarded the Theodore W. Minah Distinguished Service Award by the National Association of College and University Food Services—which Julian said was a "lifetime achievement and tremendous honor" for him—he spoke mostly about his wife and sons and how much they meant to him and supported his career.
"The love, devotion and tenderness he had for his family was spoken deeply from his heart and shared with all of us, which was so unlike Jon, as he tended to be a private person," Julian said. "Peg was next to me with tears of joy and happiness for Jon. I felt privileged to be there and witness that."
Lewis was also a member of the Muncie Noon Rotary group, where he recently completed his term as president. While in leadership, Lewis was known for his humble and dependent character.
“Jon was such a good guy,” Muncie Rotary President Sara Shade said. “He always treated people so well, and it was such a shock to find out he had passed away.”
Shade said Lewis had attended a luncheon with the Rotary just a day before he died, and many he knew are mourning his death.
“He did a lot of great work at Ball State, but he also did a lot of great work in the community,” Shade said. “While he was president, we were looking at various projects to support, and Jon jumped right in, and it was a very unique experience for us all to have with him.”
His leadership as president opened up an “aura of support” for many that he impacted, she said.
While serving at the Rotary, she said it was Lewis who noticed her abilities as a leader and, after working together during his presidency, selected her as the next Rotary president.
“He was so hospitable and loving to everyone he met,” Shade said. “Jon was someone that loved what he was doing, and I think I have learned a lot from him in that way. He will be greatly, greatly missed.”
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