Lewis “Lew” Arthur Kellogg

Obituary

Lewis “Lew” Arthur Kellogg, beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend passed away peacefully on December 27, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. After what feels like too short a battle with renal cancer, Lew is now in his eternal home. Though he will be deeply missed by those whose lives he touched and the wonderful family he leaves behind, we also rejoice in celebrating a life well-lived: 68 fulfilling years of love, adventure, and family.

Lewis Arthur Kellogg was born on January 3, 1956, in Wolf Lake, Indiana, to proud parents Robert Lewis and Tacy Ellen Kellogg. The eldest of 4 children, Lew’s interest in music, community, and athletics was instrumental in making him the renaissance man he was. Over the years, he was involved in various band programs, was a member of Boy Scouts achieving the highest rank of Eagle Scout, and excelled in pole vaulting being awarded 4th in the state competitions. In 1974, Lew graduated from W. H. Page High School in Greensboro, NC. While attending Auburn University, Lew also pursued his dream of being a rock musician. He worked as lead singer of a successful band, ‘Southern Comfort’, touring in the eastern US. In March of 1975, Lew’s popularity as a single artist grew to a point where he decided to leave college behind to perform as a solo artist. As Lew would tell you, music is a hard way to make a living so he later made the decision to leave a career as a musician for another love, industrial engineering.

In 1978, Lew re-enrolled in college and in 1982 was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering – Summa Cum Laude at NC State University. He was inducted into Tau Beta Pi, Alpha Pi Mu, Phi Eta Sigma, and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. Based on his success in college, Lew had his pick of many interested employers. His first choice was Carolina Power and Light (CP&L) which later became Duke Energy. He remained at CP&L / Duke Energy from 1982 to 2001. A few of his roles included industrial engineer for Brunswick Nuclear Power Plant, Financial Application Manager, and finally, the Section Manager of Technical Services (today’s equivalent of Chief Technical Officer) for CP&L / Duke Energy. His natural-born leadership and problem-solving abilities helped him grow into an admirable businessman, solving tenacious challenges with integrity and professionalism. Lew later moved into consulting with Wipro Technologies for two years before moving into the academic sector where he worked first at Duke University in Finance and Administration and then at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in several roles. He finished his career as the Director of Energy Services for UNC Chapel Hill and an MBA mentor at the Kenan-Flagler Business School, positions he held until his retirement in 2021. His favorite story to share was the painting of the UNC water tower Carolina Blue as he was integral to that effort. As a detail-focused person, he happily drove to every place on campus where the water tower could be seen to personally ensure the logo could be viewed from every angle. Outside of work, Lew had many interests. He continued to pursue his love of music through audio engineering and performing in bands. He also loved scuba diving where he obtained not only instructor certification but many specialty instructor certifications. While an NC State graduate, he was an avid fan of the UNC Tarheels and attended many games for many different sports. He was a marathon runner and active fitness enthusiast.

Yet Lew’s deepest joy and greatest accomplishment in life was always his family. In 2003, Lew was blessed to marry not only the love of his life, Susan, but gain a beautiful daughter, Breanne a little 5-year-old girl who stole his heart. Together they created a bond unlike any other. Throughout their 21 years of marriage, Lew and Susan became more than just partners, but best friends and fellow adventurers. They found great pleasure in finding new places to explore, hiking in Arizona, enjoying relaxing days at the beach, and many scuba diving trips. They also pursued their interests in mineralogy, numismatics, and eastern health practices relishing in quiet days at home gardening or any of their many home projects. Any time spent together was their favorite and it was easy to see their love was strong until the very end. Susan believes it was Lew’s profound character, wisdom and caring nature that brought out the greatest version of herself. She will miss his sweet, soft-spoken presence each and every day. However, she is confident Lew’s legacy will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of those he cherished most, within the stories they share and in the memories that can never be forgotten.

Lew Kellogg is survived by his parents, Bob and Ellen Kellogg; his wife, Susan Kellogg; stepdaughter, Breanne Hewitt; siblings, Doug Kellogg and his wife Audrey Kellogg; Cynthia Swink and her husband Dennis Swink; and Athena Kellogg and her husband Don McBurney and several nieces and nephews.

Lew’s family will memorialize him at a private service.

Donations may be directed to a cause dear to Lew, Echo Dogs White Shepherd Rescue, PO Box 95705, Hoffman Estates, IL 60195, https://www.echodogs.org/ .