February 12, 2016
A local man who went on to work as a top official in the administration of President Ronald Reagan died Wednesday, according to reports.
The Associated Press reports that Drew Lewis, 84, who served as U.S. transportation secretary, passed away from pneumonia Wednesday.
Lewis, who was born in Philly, was sworn in as transportation secretary in 1981 after working for Reagan's campaign. He was at the helm when air traffic controllers went on strike later that year over a number of issues, including pay and staffing levels.
Lewis negotiated a contract with the unions that was rejected by its members, according to AP, which subsequently lead to 12,000 controllers walking off of the job.
Reagan fired those who did not return to work and stripped away the union's certification, leading to criticism of the president from figures in organized labor.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Lewis grew up in Norristown and was a graduate of Norristown High School.
In addition to his political career, Lewis was a businessman who later became CEO of Union Pacific Corp.
In Pennsylvania, he was a key member of the state's Republican Party, according to the Inquirer. He helped his friend Dick Schweiker run a successful campaign for Congress in 1960 and made an unsuccessful attempt at the governorship in 1974.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Stoughton Lewis; children Andy, Karen and Rusty; 14 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
