Grover Lewis

Grover Lewis, a pioneering mathematician and key figure in the development of early computing, passed away on May 16, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Born in 1936 in Grady, Arkansas to Jesse and Mary Lewis, Grover journeyed from a one-room school in Grady to the forefront of early technological innovation.

Grover grew up on his family’s farm outside of Grady, Arkansas, and was baptized at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, which was located on the family property. (Later in life, Grover would donate land from his farm for the Church to erect a new building). Grover left Arkansas to attend high school in East Chicago, Illinois, and returned to Pine Bluff, Arkansas in 1952 to attend Arkansas AM&N College. Grover was the first person in his family to attend college, and he pursued a career in mathematics. Grover was the Class Parliamentarian, the President of the Math Club, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, a member of the Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, and Business Manager for the College Yearbook. After graduating from Arkansas AM&N, he enrolled at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where -- despite having to sit in the back of the class and being denied campus housing because of his race - - he earned his master’s degree in mathematics in 1957, becoming the first African-American to earn a master’s in mathematics from the University of Arkansas. Grover then took his keen intellect and embarked on a career where he would play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of modern computing.

Following his masters, Grover joined the University of California's Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory in New Mexico. Grover was part of the team that worked on the initial programming for the first large computer developed by IBM (called “Stretch”). Grover’s pioneering work in computing led to numerous advances in the field. Grover was also involved in early nuclear testing and was present for some of the harrowing above-ground atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll. More pleasantly, his work would also take him to New York City, where he reconnected with former classmate Elsie Lavonne Hunter. The two were married on September 30, 1961, and had three children together.

In 1965, Grover left Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory and the family moved to Los Angeles, California, where Grover worked for Computer Sciences Corporation. CSC then won a contract from the Department of Energy to lead the selection of a new computer for the Department's Nevada Test Site operations. Grover was appointed as the Information Systems Manager, prompting a move to Las Vegas in 1968. Grover later joined the Department of Energy, and was the Director of Information Systems at the Department of Energy until his retirement in 2003.

Grover was an avid sports fan, an excellent bowler, a skillful bridge player, and a tenacious tennis player. He loved listening to music (of all genres), dancing with Lavonne, and applying his analytical skills to investing. He leaves to mourn his passing his life partner, Elsie Lavonne Hunter Lewis, his children, Erica Lewis, Gordon Lewis (wife Kara Stuart Lewis), and Marianne Lewis, his grandchildren, Cassandra Lewis, Eleanor Lewis, and Grady Lewis, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service to honor Grover Lewis's life and legacy will be held at Palm Mortuary at 1325 N. Main Street, Las Vegas, Nevada on June 4, 2024. A viewing will be held at 12:00 p.m., the funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., and the burial will be held at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alumni Scholarship Endowment Fund at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in memory of Grover Lewis. Checks should be mailed to: Office of Alumni Affairs, 1200 North University Drive, Mail Slot 4929, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. Please make checks payable to Alumni Scholarship Endowment Fund and include Grover Lewis on the memo line. For additional information, you may call the UAPB Office of Alumni Affairs at (870) 575-8499.