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Lewis, Ben E. (Ben Elden), 1913-2005

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1913 - 2005

Biographical History

Ben E. Lewis (1913-2005) was an executive vice president of Brigham Young University.

Ben Eldon Lewis was born November 16, 1913 to George William and Olena Dorothea Kempe Lewis in Mesa, Arizona. He married Barbara Rae Wootton on October 4, 1944 in Salt Lake City. They eventually had five children: Linda, Stephen, James, Mary Anne, and John. Lewis attended Brigham Young University, where he was elected student body president, and then the University of Denver, where he earned a Master's degree. He was employed by Hot Shoppes, Inc., which later became the Marriott Corporation, for seven years. In 1952, he returned to BYU to work in administration, eventually being promoted to executive vice president. Lewis was active in his community and his church, serving as the London England mission president for five years and participating in the Provo City Planning commission for seven years.

Lewis passed away in Provo, Utah, on October 20, 2005.

Citation:
Deseret News, via WWW, 9 February 2015 (Ben E. Lewis was born November 16, 1913 to George William and Olena Dorothea Kempe Lewis in Mesa, Arizona; married Barbara Rae Wootton on October 4, 1944 in Salt Lake City; had five children: Linda, Stephen, James, Mary Anne, and John; attended Brigham Young University, where he was elected student body president, and then the University of Denver, where he earned a Master's degree; employed by Hot Shoppes, Inc., which later became the Marriott Corporation, for seven years; returned to BYU to work in administration in 1952, eventually being promoted to executive vice president; active in his community and his church, serving as the London England mission president for five years and participating in the Provo City Planning commission for seven years; passed away in Provo, Utah, on October 20, 2005).

Found in 11 Collections and/or Records:

Brigham Young University vice-presidential records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 892
Scope and Contents

Includes minutes, reports, bulletins, pamphlets, and correspondence concerning auxiliary operations, committees, construction, finances, housing, improvements, utilities, applications, budgets, Communication Services, Physical Plant, Food Services, University Relations, Treasurer's Office, and Indian Placement.

Dates: 1950-1974

Brigham Young University vice-presidential records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1326
Scope and Contents

Contains official Brigham Young University records, correspondence, memos, and reports collected by Ben E. Lewis as a vice-president and university administrator betwee 1948 and 1980.

Dates: 1948-1980

Collection of oral histories and interviews

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 5662
Scope and Contents

Contains interviews and oral histories on audio tapes. Individuals featured on the audio recordings are primarily Brigham Young University staff, faculty, or administration. Dates range from 1972 to 1987.

Dates: 1972-1987

Financial reports of the Alvina Soffel Barrett Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231022937]
Identifier: UA 505
Scope and Contents

Report compiled by Joseph T. Bentley, comptroller and trustee for Brigham Young University; and Ben Lewis, financial vice-president. Includes three reports and a photograph.

Dates: 1963-1964

George Barrett

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233274809]
Identifier: UA SC 20
Scope and Contents

Short biography of George Barrett, who endowed Brigham Young University with money for scholarships.

Dates: Publication: 1993

Inside the Wilkinson era

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233259842]
Identifier: UA 871
Scope and Contents

Interview by Heber G. Wolsey with Ben E. Lewis, Robert K. Thomas, Harvey Taylor, Sam Brewster, and Bruce L. Olsen concerning their personal experiences with Ernest L. Wilkinson. Wilkinson's resignation as president of Brigham Young University had been announced in March 1971, and the inteviews were recorded as a tribute to him.

Dates: 1971 May 25

Ben E. Lewis personal papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 2203
Scope and Contents

Contains annual volumes of randomly organized reminiscences of his life, including childhood in Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah; scouting; family; missionary service; education and profession; the building of the Provo and Jordan River temples; and work at Brigham Young University, including interactions with Ernest L. Wilkinson and Dallin H. Oaks. Also includes addresses and poems by Lewis, an oral history, and Lewis family history. Materials dated 1944-2003 (bulk: 1988-2003).

Dates: 1944-2003; Majority of material found within 1988-2003

George K. Lewis papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6160
Scope and Contents Contains photographs and negatives (most of which were created by Georkee), personal art work, scrapbooks, copies of the BYU Baynan for the years that Georkee was a student at BYU, maps, letters, magazine clippings and various other correspondence. The bulk of the collection consists of stereoviews most of which are from Keystone Views Co. taken by Georkee while an employee of that company. Included in the collection is a genealogy book titled "Descendants of George William Lewis and Olena...
Dates: 1920-1940

Oral history interview with Ben E. Lewis

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA OH 175
Scope and Contents

Interview by Mark Smith with Ben E. Lewis about his experiences at Brigham Young University as a student and administrator. Also gives his background working for the Marriott corporation prior to his career at BYU. Talks at length about Ernest Wilkinson and the administration of the University. Includes transcript and sound recordings.

Dates: 1994

Records of the Wilkinson Center businesses

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 737
Scope and Contents

Includes records and correspondence of the BYU Bookstore, food services, special events, and Wilkinson Center remodelling.

Dates: 1971-1974

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Colleges and Universities 9
Education 9
Letters 3
Oral histories 3
Interviews 2