Arnold Joseph Hewes

Arnold Joseph Hewes (83) passed from this earth on 9/30/2026. Born in Beloit, WI 7/22/1943, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications (1969). While in college, he worked for WKOW Radio & TV and did radio broadcasts of Marquette University basketball games when legendary Al McGuire was coach as well as a morning drive-time show. He was a great writer and speaker. He loved discussing and debating everything from politics to sports, especially MN Twins Baseball and Vikings football.

After college, he worked for the Metropolitan Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce as Communications Director (1969-79). While there, he was President of the American Chamber of Commerce Executive Communications Council, was involved in planning the 1975 All-Star Baseball Game and toured the state with his hero Henry (Hank) Aaron.

From 1979-2004, he was the President and CEO of Hospitality Minnesota, and Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Restaurant, Hotel and Resort Associations. He and his wife, Senior Vice President and General Manager Judy Vitek Hewes, whom he married in 1984, grew the membership and influence of the Associations and managed a large industry trade show for the Upper Midwest area. Together, along with strong industry leadership, they helped guide the organization to be one of the most successful and respected of its kind in the nation. He was elected President of the International Society of Hotel Association Executives (1988) and was President of the International Society of Restaurant Association Executives (1991-92). He was on the planning committee for Super Bowl XXVI (1992) in Minneapolis and was included in Marquis Who's Who in America.

After retiring in 2004, he split his time between Woodbury, MN, Turtle Lake WI and The Villages, FL becoming a full-time Villager in 2021. He loved to golf, read, watch sports, do daily crossword puzzles and teaching the grandchildren how to drive the pontoon boat. Preceded in death by his father Edward, mother Portia, beloved Uncle Fred and son Jeffrey Allen. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Judy, son Brian, bonus sons Dwayne (Adania) Colvin, Dan (Jolynne) Colvin, Brian (Ingrid) Colvin, 9 grandchildren, Eric, Larissa, Tyler, Rachel, Jackson, Jonathan, Jazmin, Sierra and lan as well as 3 great grandsons, Sylas, Patrick & Jaran. Memorials can be sent to New Covenant United Methodist Church, Alzheimer's Association of America or the American Heart Association. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 17, 1:00 pm at the Dignity Memorial Center, 7134 Powell Rd, Wildwood, FL.