Lewis C Svitenko, of Grants Pass Oregon, passed away August 19, 2021 due to complications from a stroke.
Lewis was born to Samuel and Beatrice Svitenko on May 19, 1940 in West Springfield Massachusetts. Lewis had a twin brother, Leonard, who passed away in 1968. He had two sisters Paula and Ellen.
Lewis graduated from Cathedral High School in West Springfield. There he played multiple varsity sports including track, golf, and hockey where he made first team all-western Massachusetts. Lewis went on to earn an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy where he was part of the first class to go through four full years at the Academy graduating with a Bachelor of Science.
Lewis had a decorated 24 year career in the United States Air Force.His career highlights included:
- Graduated from Pilot Training at Reese AFB, TX in 1963 and went on to graduate from B-52 combat crew training in 1964.
- Completed an ARC Light tour in 1969, flying 62 combat missions, and 398 combat hours, out of Guam, Okinawa and Thailand
- Graduated from USAF Test Pilot School in 1970, and flew test missions and aircraft until 1972
- Returned to Vietnam from 1972-1973 and served as a tactical strike controller, tanker coordinator and search and rescue operations coordinator
- Professional education included Squadron Officer School, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National War College, and Distinguished Graduate of Air Command and Staff College
- Served as commander at Squadron, Group and Wing levels
- Decorations include: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and other awards
After retiring from the United States Air Force in 1986 Lewis worked for Bell on the early stages of the V-22 Osprey. Lewis then went on to work for Northrup on the B-2 program including flight test for advanced systems and avionics. Lewis retired from Northrup in 2004 and went on to run two ranches first in California and then in Oregon.
Lewis is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, his sister, Ellen, and his four sons Steve, Paul, Sam, and Len. Additionally, he had 7 grandchildren; Sophia, Samantha, Sadie, Lucy, Nicolette, Seth, and Ainsley.
Lewis will be buried, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the United States Air Force Academy on September 20th at 1:30 PM.
