Lewis Phillip Rich

Lewis Phillip Rich, 75, of Elkhart, passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at home surrounded by loving family. He was born on October 11, 1948, in Elkhart to the late Roscoe and Helen (Tallman) Rich.

Lewis is survived by his loving wife, Pam Rich; children, Tricia Rich, Kimberly (Andy) Martin, and Ryan Shenefield; 12 beautiful grandchildren; 7 beautiful great-grandchildren; and a loving host of extended family, friends, and acquaintances.

In addition to his parents, Lewis was preceded in death by his six siblings.

Services for Lewis will take place on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart with visitation from 5 PM to 6:30 PM and a celebration of life service to immediately follow at 6:30 PM. Pastor Jeremy Sarber of Billings Funeral Home will officiate. In accordance with Lewis’ wishes, cremation has been chosen.

Lewis worked as a union carpenter at Ideal Interiors for many years. He was proud of his skillset and recently had received his 50-year gold card from the Carpenter’s Union, showing how his hard work all these years had paid off for him. Lewis had also put his carpentry skills to use in his personal life and proudly built a family home for him and his wife to live and call their own. This was a major accomplishment for the couple and brought so many memories for years to come as their family expanded.  

In addition to being in the Carpenter’s Union, Lewis was also a lifetime member of the Elkhart Coin Club, a past member of the Bristol American Legion, and a longtime member of the Simonton Sportsman Club, which he helped to build but mostly went for a refreshing beer or two.

In his spare time, Lewis adored the great outdoors. Whether it be hunting deer or caribou or simply taking in nature’s beauty in the woods, he just could not get enough of it. He also enjoyed collecting various items such as guns, coins, knives, and other knickknacks, always trying to find the beauty in everything. Most importantly, Lewis was a big family man who deeply loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with all his heart and adored spending time with each person as much as he could.

Lewis will best be remembered as a gentle soul who had a special love for all. He truly was a lover, not a fighter, attempting to avoid conflict at all costs, and had always tried to see the best in everything that came his way. Lewis, along with all the love and joy he shared, will be dearly missed by those whose hearts he touched throughout his life.

The family would like to thank the staff at Heart to Heart Hospice for their amazing care and kindness extended towards Lewis through his final days.

Memorial donations made in Lewis’ honor can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N Michigan Ave, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601, being an organization Lewis and Pam were proud to support throughout the years.

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