MIKE LEWANDOWSKI, 1947 – 2012

Surveyor in family firm’s 4th generation

11/20/2012

OAK HARBOR, Ohio — Mike Lewandowski, a retired surveyor who worked with his brothers at their family-owned civil engineering firm, died Friday in his home. He was 65.

His wife, Patricia Lewandowski, said he died from bone cancer. She said he was diagnosed with cancer in May.

Mr. Lewandowski worked as a surveyor for Lewandowski Engineering, which was founded in 1916 by his great-grandfather, Louis Lewandowski. He retired in February because of health problems, his wife said.

His youngest brother, Matthew Lewandowski, said Mike dropped out of college in the late 1960s to work at the firm after their father, John Lewandowski, became ill. Mr. Lewandowski and his three brothers at one time or the other worked at the family business.

Mike Lewandowski eventually left and went to work as an appraiser for the Lucas County Auditor when the late Dan McNamara held the office. His brother said he later worked for A.H Jamra, a distribution firm, and then returned to Lewandowski Engineering.

“Mike truly was a mentor for the young engineers who came to work for us. He not only showed them the ropes, but he also showed them how to navigate through a project,” his brother said.

Mr. Lewandowski grew up in the Old West End and attended St. Francis de Sales High School, where he excelled in swimming and diving. A 1964 graduate of the school, he won the state championship in the butterfly, his brother said.

He received a scholarship in swimming to attend Xavier University in Cincinnati.

Mrs. Lewandowski said he went back to college and earned a bachelor’s degree from Lourdes University at age 50. She said he set a goal to graduate before their daughter.

His wife said he also had sold real estate for Welles-Bowen Co.

Mr. Lewandowski was an avid boater and owned a power boat. Fishing was among his interests, and he had taken fishing expeditions in the Florida Keys, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Florida Gulf.

Surviving are his wife, Patricia; daughter, Ann Lewandowski; brothers, Patrick, Matthew, and Jake Lewandowski, and sister, Cate Lewandowski.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, followed by a celebration of life tribute in the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home, Oak Harbor.

- Mark Reiter