Penny Barrett ’67

Friend and classmate

Malcolm has been a best friend for over 45 years and will continue to be a best friend because what he taught me continues to shape my choices and actions every day. Malcolm lives within each of us who had the privilege to be blessed by his humility and wisdom.

Kelly Lauer

Admin. Asst. for the Office of the President, HMC

Kindness is a rare commodity, but Malcolm had it in spades, and he gave it to everyone he met. Malcolm’s presence was a blessing: he enriched my life with a smile, with a kind word, with a thoughtful inquiry about my family, my day. I will miss his generous spirit and kind soul, as well as his humor.

Dr. Joe Betser

Chair of HMC Engineering Visitors Committee

Dear Lewis Family members and members of the Harvey Mudd College Community:
On behalf of the Engineering Visitors Committee at Mudd, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the Lewis Family.
Mr. Malcolm Lewis ’67 was a dear friend and colleague, who will be sorely missed.
Malcolm served the College in multiple capacities, including Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Trustee, Fellowship sponsor, and sustainability champion, and he was always happy to volunteer to help the college in many ways. In addition to his generous financial support, Malcolm was always eager to support any initiative and committee in order to make Mudd a better place.
As a member of the EVC, Malcolm always had fresh ideas, including the zeal and energy to work with the community in order to enhance the educational experience that the college creates. He was always available to take on any challenge, and always brought fresh ideas, patience, kindness, and solutions to any situation.
May his memory be with us and guide us to continue to do good for the community.

Michael Holtz, FAIA

Friend and Colleague

I am saddened and humankind is diminished by the passing of Malcolm Lewis. Malcolm was a wonderful, intelligent, generous and loving person, who enjoyed life, his family, and his career. He was always soft-spoken, and always pursuing perfection knowing full well that compromise would be needed to succeed.

I worked with Malcolm on a number of design projects, and he was always upbeat and support of new ideas that would improve the performance of the project.

Malcolm you are and will be missed.

God bless you, and your family.

Kath Williams

Long-time friend and fellow LEED Fellow

Malcolm taught us all about the value of education, always using Harvey Mudd as an example. He was one of your best! Be proud of him. He was proud of you all!

Mack Gilkeson

Professor to student, then alum, then trustee

I would like to honor Malcolm Lewis by providing his remembrances about his early relationship with the College.
From a June, 2008 email interview:
REMEMBRANCES ABOUT THE COLLEGE, YOUR PROGRAM, AND THE ENGINEERING PROGRAM IN THE EARLY DAYS?

Malcolm: “I really liked HMC: dorm life, close relationships with the faculty and staff, the small size and feel of the campus. I had a tough time academically the first two years because I didn’t have calculus in high school, which was a huge handicap. But once I conquered calculus and got into the engineering courses in my junior year, I did well academically and really enjoyed myself. I was very involved in non-class activities (ASHMC, computer lab, McAllister Center, etc.). I was captivated by the systems engineering and control theory courses taught by Serdengecti, and took every course he offered.
My first exposure to the Engineering Program was the Freshman Project (which in our year was focused on the LA Traffic Problem) and the related Introduction to Systems Engineering that Warren Wilson taught. I really enjoyed the project team challenge, and the chance to work on a project with real societal significance. …”

Bob Cave

Worked with him through board activities

Malcolm was a kind, wise, and supportive soul. I deeply appreciated his enthusiasm for the school and the work of the faculty to make it better. You knew Malcolm would always listen in with an open mind, but you’d also get great advice from him. It is hard for me to think about HMC without his presence and guidance.

Jon Roberts ’93

Mentor, Employer and Friend

Malcolm will be deeply missed by all who encountered him, but his memory and influence in the countless lives he touched, including my own, will never fade.
Malcolm was a true visionary who looked intently to the future, and tirelessly committed his engineering expertise to making our world a better place. His hope and optimism in the face of great societal challenges is inspiring and mobilizing. He has profoundly and irreversibly shaped the green building and sustainable design movement and leaves a legacy that will endure for generations. The buildings and communities that our children and grandchildren will live in will bear his influence.
Malcolm was not just an excellent civil/mechanical/electrical engineer, but he was just as intentional and skilled at “social engineering”–he truly invested himself in, and was very successful at developing human potential: directly through mentoring and example; through his guidance as a trustee, LEED steering committee member, etc; and through the unique institutional structures and businesses that he created. I am privileged and thankful to have worked for Malcolm at CTG, one of his unique creations. He truly embodied HMC’s mission as a leader. He challenged me to set my goals higher and be a better person. He was a great example of how to live a life faith in an era with few role models. He has had a profound personal influence on me and will continue to be a role model.

Beth Platt Garrow

Friend

My earliest memories of Malcolm are from his freshman year at HMC – I must have been 8 at the time. He, like so many HMC frosh, came to our home at the Garrett House for one of the “freshman dinners”. Even then, to a shy 8 year old, he made an impression of kindness and warmth. Over the years,he became a very special part of the Platt and HMC families. I remember how pleased Dad was early this year when I shared with him Malcolm’s appointment as board chair.
Cindy and family, my thoughts are with you. Thank you for being wonderful caregivers to a remarkable man.

Treasa Sweek ’99

Colleague and Past Employer

Malcolm exemplified professional engineering. His ethics and love for helping others shaped my career. At CTG, Malcolm gave me the room I needed to grow and the vision I still have that helps me make tough decisions. Although I will miss him dearly, his passion and friendship will live on in my life.