Lewis D. Wetzel, 95, died on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020 at Bridgton Hospital after a long battle with multiple myeloma.

Lewis was born on Dec. 8, 1924 in Beaver Springs, Pa. to L. Banks and Pauline (Dreese) Wetzel. He enlisted in the Navy shortly after graduating from high school in 1942. He received a medical discharge and spent the rest of the war years working in defense industries. 

He attended Lehigh University, graduating in 1947 with a degree in electrical engineering. He helped to build a power plant in Sunbury, Pa. During that time, he became licensed in ham (amateur) radio, which sparked an interest in electronics. He remained an avid ham radio operator until his death. He worked in electronics in ordinance at Pickatinny Arsenal in Wharton, N.J., followed by stints at RCA, a consulting firm in Washington, D.C., and the TV and radio division of Triangle Publications in Philadelphia. He was a Fellow in the Radio Club of America, past president of the Society of Broadcast Engineers and member emeritus of the Association of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers. 

In 1971, he accepted an offer to work at Shively Labs in Raymond, with long-time friend, Ed Shively, from his time at RCA. He later worked in sales at several electronics companies including EG&G, Hughey and Phillips, and Honeywell until he retired at age 75 and moved permanently to Maine.  

In retirement, he became involved in monitoring and maintaining the quality of the lakes in the Sebago-Long Lake region through activities of the Pleasant Lake Parker Pond Association and the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (now Lake Stewards of Maine).  

Lewis married Miriam (Smith) Wetzel on June 13, 1953.

He is survived by his wife; his sister, Ann (Wetzel) Freed; sons, Larry B. Wetzel (Linda) and Philip L. Wetzel; daughters, Ann (Wetzel) Flumerfelt (David) and Lori Wetzel; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. 

A private memorial service with family was held Wednesday, Sept. 30 at Hall Funeral Home, 165 Quaker Ridge Road, Casco. Many thanks to Casco Rescue for assistance following falls and misadventures in the past few months.

Donations in Lew’s memory may be sent to Lake Stewards of Maine, 24 Maple Hill Road, Auburn, Maine 04210. 

Online condolence messages may be submitted on the funeral home website, www.hallfuneralhome.net.