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Stephen "Craig" Lewis
Thank you Sue
On the topic of inspiration
I can easily identify the LFHS teachers who inspired me most. Mrs. Thorne-Thomsen with her stern demands and classroom drama really perked up my ears to the English language and literature, and Jim Benton’s enthusiasm, encouragement, and involvement with students remains strongly in my mind even today. My junior year of high school an aunt of Mike Rhynes, a professor of anatomy at the University of Chicago Medical School, invited me to attend several classes at the medical school where she convinced me to pursue an undergraduate degree in the sciences! Very inspirational! During college my most inspirational professors and teaching assistants were those in the arts and humanities rather than those in my major studies. My first wife (also a LFHS graduate) encouraged me to pursue my objectives, as did my later wife and family members.
Throughout my working career I was fortunate in having good friends and mentors and readily capitalized on opportunities to teach and mentor many others. In my subsequent health based endeavors with charitable organizations numerous surgeons, nurses, and administrators have been strong sources of encouragement and inspiration. My piano professor, Mme Renee Engels-Lidge, a retired concert pianist from Hungary, who persisted for years enduring my mediocrity, inspired me to look beyond the written notes and see the beauty in improvisation in classical music - 50 years later I get it!. Finally, in retirement, my daughter as a source of pride and inspiration as she has advanced in her career helping others.
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