Roger Lewis died Wednesday, October 15, 2025, after a series of health challenges.

Lewis was born on October 13, 1949, to E. Earl and Evelyn (Hansen) Lewis in Fremont, NE. He earned an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Midland Lutheran College (now Midland University) in Fremont and later earned an MBA from the University of Nebraska. He married Carol Thorson in 1973. They are parents of daughters, Carrie and Kathleen.

Following graduation from Midland, Lewis joined The Omaha World-Herald and for six years served primarily as the newspaper's business reporter. In 1977, he joined Omaha National Bank, now U.S. Bank, where he managed advertising and public relations as Vice President and Director of Communications. Lewis moved to Commercial Federal Bank in 1986 as Vice President and Director of Public Relations. He later was promoted to Senior Vice President and Director of Corporate Marketing. While at Commercial Federal, he originated an Independence Day concert and fireworks show in Omaha's Memorial Park, called Commercial Federal Celebrates America. Lewis managed 17 of these free annual concerts, which continue to this day as the City of Omaha Celebrates America. When Commercial Federal was sold in 2005, Lewis joined Children's Hospital & Medical Center, now Children's Nebraska, as Chief Development Officer and Executive Director of Children's Foundation. In the 10 years prior to his retirement in 2016, he managed fundraising for many major hospital projects and programs.

A leader in community activities, Lewis served as board president of several organizations including Immanuel Health Systems, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, Fontenelle Forest Association, Ballet Omaha, the Nebraska Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and the National Accreditation Board of PRSA. He also served on the boards of Midland Lutheran College, the Child Saving Institute, and the Nebraska Humanities Foundation.

Preceded in death by his parents, Lewis is survived by his wife, Carol; daughters, Carrie (Scott) La Plante and Kathleen (Keith) Brennan; and five grandchildren, Abigail and Madelyn La Plante and Kaya, Kaden and Kellen Brennan.

VISITATION: Sunday, October 26th, from 4 to 7 p.m., at West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Rd.

FUNERAL: Monday, October 27th, 11 a.m., at Rejoice! Lutheran Church, 2556 S. 138th Street.

INTERMENT: Memorial Cemetery in Fremont, NE.

The family suggests memorials to Rejoice! Lutheran Church, Friends of Lied, and Children's Nebraska Foundation.