H.Craig Lewis Service Information

Former Pennsylvania State Sen. H. Craig Lewis, 68, who represented Bucks County and parts of Philadelphia for 20 years, died Sunday, Jan. 13, while vacationing in the British Virgin Islands. Sen. Lewis, who served five terms, lived in Center City.

Sen. Lewis' death "was a real tragedy, because he had so much more to give in so many different ways," said former Gov. Ed Rendell.

"He was smart, honest, resourceful. He served in the Senate with integrity and with real concern about what was best for the people not just in his district, but in Pennsylvania," Rendell said.

Sen. Lewis was born in Hazleton, Pa., on July 22, 1944. He graduated from Millersville State College with a bachelor's degree in history. He attended the University of Nebraska graduate school and was a graduate of Temple University School of Law.

Sen. Lewis practiced law and served as a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Council, and the state Advisory Committee for Guidance Service.

He was elected to the Senate from the Sixth District, serving from 1974 to 1994. Sen. Lewis, a Democrat, was chair of the Judiciary, Local Government, and Ethics Committees during his time in the Senate. He also served on numerous state commissions.

After leaving the Senate, Sen. Lewis served as a vice president for corporate affairs at Norfolk Southern Corp. Before joining Norfolk Southern, he was a partner in the Dechert, Price & Rhodes law firm. In 1998 he was named Chairman of the Philadelphia Foundation, an umbrella group for more than 600 charities and charitable funds. At that time, the Foundation rescued the Philadelphia Liberty Medal. In 2005, The Philadelphia Foundation named an honor after Lewis: the “H. Craig Lewis Leadership and Governance Award, which has been bestowed on those who “exemplify the finest traits in leadership, fiduciary responsibility and strategic thinking.” He also served on several boards, including the Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia Belt Line Railroad, Aria Health System and the Andalusia Foundation.

His wife, Dianne Semingson, city representative under Mayor W. Wilson Goode, described Sen. Lewis as "a wonderful husband, father, and community leader." "He was so supportive of me personally, his family, all his friends, and the organizations with which he was associated. He is known as someone of honesty and integrity," she said. “He also was a lot of fun,” she added. “Craig loved wine, music, golf, and traveling.” In 1989, Lewis climbed to the base camp on Mt. Everest in Nepal with Dick Bass, author of the book Seven Summits. He and his wife also traveled to Vietnam, Cambodia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, skied in Bulgaria and visited most of the European countries. “For Craig, life was worth living to the fullest.”

Lewis is survived by his wife, Dianne, daughter Janet, son C. Robert, daughter-in-law Leslie, grandson Keagan, brothers Raymond and William along with a nephew and 2 nieces.

Relatives, friends and colleagues are invited to attend his Memorial Service, Friday January 25, 3:00pm at the Prince Music Theater 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA. Reception immediately following. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, Craig’s family would appreciate contributions in his memory be made to The Philadelphia Foundation, 1234 Market St. Suite 1800, Philadelphia, PA. 19107.

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