February 2, 1940 - September 8, 2022 Russell Cooper Lewis passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, September 8, 2022. He was 82 years old. He was born in Camden, New Jersey on Groundhog Day, the youngest son of Judge Arthur and Alberta (Hess) Lewis, who preceded him in death. Russell was the beloved husband of Tyra (Armentrout) Lewis, the dear brother of Bob (Joan) Lewis, loving father of Dahria (Michael) McClelland, Tofer (Emily) Lewis, and proud grandfather of Jaxon and Kai McClelland. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture in 1964, the Ecoles d’Art Americaines (Fontainebleau, France) with a Diplome d’Architecture; and from Cranbrook Academy of Art with a Master’s Degree in Architecture in 1967. Upon graduation, he was awarded the 1967 Paris Prize in Architecture (the National Thesis Traveling Fellowship) sponsored by the National Institute for Architectural Education. He started his architectural career as a Project Designer with Tarapata, McMahon, & Paulson in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and then as interim Head of the Department of Architecture at Cranbrook Academy of Art. In 1973 he became an Associate Planner with the Oakland County Planning Division in Pontiac, Michigan. In 1980 he became a Design Manager with the Detroit firm Smith, Hynchman, & Grylls. Three years later he returned to Oakland County as a Principal Planner/Architect for developing new projects and programs in historic preservation, architectural/urban design and downtown revitalization. In 2000, he co-established the Main Street Oakland County program by partnering with the National Trust Main Street Center, the only county-level Main Street coordinating program in the Country. He was also an Adjunct Faculty for twenty-five years at Lawrence Technological University (Southfield, Michigan), teaching architectural and urban design at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Russell became a Registered Architect in Michigan in 1974, and during his career he was a member of the Detroit Chapter/American Institute of Architects, American Planning Association, Michigan Association of Planners, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Congress for the New Urbanism. He also served on the Troy Historic District Commission. After his retirement in 2006, he was a member of the Main Street Advisory Board serving the Membership, Selection and Awards Committees. During his forty-year career in the Detroit area, Russell received numerous local, state, and national planning and design awards for programs and projects he was responsible for. In 2004, he was honored by receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Michigan Historic Preservation Network. Russell married his Cranbrook sweetheart, Tyra (Armentrout) Lewis, of Xenia, Ohio, on August 26, 1967. They were married for 55 years. Tyra graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and K-14 Teaching Certificate, and Cranbrook Academy of Art with a Master’s Degree in Printmaking. His favorite pastime was golfing, and he was an excellent golfer. He also enjoyed fishing, archery, camping, and cars. His fondest memories were family times at the Pinery Provincial Park, Skytop Lodge, Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, and the Armentrout cottage on Manitoulin Island in Canada. He often spoke of his favorite childhood memories growing up in Medford Lakes, a beautiful lake community of rustic log cabins in the New Jersey pinelands. Russell will be remembered as a connector; he loved engaging with friends, students, and associates. Throughout his life he cultivated wonderful friendships. He was known for his meticulous attention to detail, his generous nature, a fun sense of humor, and a twinkle in his eye. He was also known as a sharp dresser. Russ will be greatly missed by his friends and family, including his nephew Rob, nieces Karen and Lisa, and his cousins. Our family would like to thank the staff at Home Instead, Assured Home Nursing, and the Residential Hospice team for their loving care of Russ. A memorial service will be held at a future date. If you’d like to make a contribution in Russell’s memory, his family suggests supporting the Michigan Historic Preservation Network. Interment of ashes will be at White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery. A.J. Desmond & Sons, 248-362-2500. View obituary and sign tribute wall at AJDesmond.com

Published in The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press