Bernard Lewolt Obituary
Bernard G. Lewolt of Santa Barbara, CA. 1952-2020
Bernard G. Lewolt, of Santa Barbara passed away on September 2nd, 2020, after a brief illness.
Born in New York City on April 26th, 1952, he was one of five sons in the family of Joseph W. and Dorothy A. Lewolt. The family moved to California in 1961 and lived in Canoga Park for few years.
It was there that Bernard first became a Boy Scout and began to enjoy the outdoor activities of hiking and camping. His Father and brothers were also active in the Boy Scout Program and they joined in and participated in the huge jamborees and outdoor training events.
Bernard's older brother, Dan worked summers at the High Sierra Boy Scout Camp, Camp Whitsett, and Bernard worked to earn merit badges and advance in rank. Camp Whitsett, in the Sierra Mountains of Kern County is still in use today.
In 1965 the family moved into one of the new housing tracts in Santa Barbara during a growth period when companies such as General motors- Delco, of Goleta were building the lunar rover and the space race was in full force.
It was at this 6 bedroom home on San Patricio Drive, where Grandmother Sarah moved in with them. It surprised friends how well this family unit of 8 got along so well under one roof and the family was often lovingly referred to as "The Waltons".
Bernard loved having his Grandmother and her little, terrier/poodle mix dog, Tammy in the house. He enjoyed taking care of the dog and walking her, and his Grandmother taught him how to play the family piano.
Bernard's scouting adventures continued in Santa Barbara. He enjoyed camping, in the Santa Ynez National Forest north of the city. Except maybe for one time in 1969 when while camping at the Lower Oso, near the Santa Ynez River, when massive rains caused extensive flooding.
Bernard, his brother Bruce, and their troop were stranded by a creek after it became impassible. They had to be rescued by a search team that used ropes to make a bridge over the swollen creek.
Bernard finished growing up in Santa Barbara and graduated from the then brand-new Dos Pueblos High School in 1971. His class was the first to have attended all four years at the school.
Bernard was an avid member of the DPHS Cross Country Team and he would wake up early in the mornings to make the run to school. He would travel along Cathedral Oaks from Kellogg Ave, cutting through the farmland and lemon orchard trails so that he could get into condition for the team and to be on time for his first period gym class. It was a feat none of his brothers could possibly manage!
He was well liked by his teammates and his teachers, who often referred to him as a 'fine young man'.
He made good use of the many new shop classes at the school, mostly enjoyed making art pieces. Bernard loved carving wood and casting metal.
In his teen years, Bernard was very interested in body building and lifting weights. He would work out in the backyard with the Sears barbell weight sets, that were the household gyms of the day. Even at 68 years old, he spoke to the hospital staff about new exercises he was doing to improve his strength.
Bernard was employed at Goleta Hospital in the early 1970's before moving to Flagstaff, Arizona, to live with his older brother, Dan. He continued exploring the great outdoors, including the Grand Canyon before returning to Santa Barbara.
Bernard will join his Grandmother Sarah E Bell, and older brother, and fellow Boy Scout, Daniel J. Lewolt, in a lovely family plot at Goleta Cemetery, In a private family service.
Bernard is survived by his Mother Dorothy Lewolt, younger brothers Bruce, Greg and Jim, as well as many other family members including cousins in Ontario, Canada.
Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Bernard Lewolt to pay them a last tribute. You may also light a candle in honor of Bernard Lewolt.
