Dr. Kenneth Baker Lewis

Dr. Kenneth Baker Lewis of Baltimore, MD, passed away on Saturday October 4, 2025 at the age of 92 at Broadmead in Cockeysville, MD. Ken was born in Burlington, NC to Alverna Baker Lewis and Ken Lewis on July 25, 1933. He received his undergraduate education at Davidson College in NC. While working summers at Camp Seagull on the NC coast, Ken met Bonny Lynn Morgan, and they were married in Benson, NC on June 3, 1956. He earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. After an internship at the University of Florida in Gainesville, an assistant residency in OB/GYN at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and an Internal Medicine residency at the University of Washington in Seattle, Ken and Bonny returned to Baltimore, where Ken was a fellow in cardiology at Hopkins and began his long career. In 1965, Ken became Chief of Cardiology at Baltimore City Hospital. While there, he and Dr. Robert Fischell of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory collaborated to develop the first rechargeable pacemaker. During this time (1966–1972), Ken also served first as a captain and then as a major in the Maryland Army National Guard. At various times, Ken taught at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, served as Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Franklin Square Hospital, and started the Internal Medicine Residency program there. In 1971, Ken and a colleague started a cardiology practice that later became Chesapeake Cardiovascular Associates, where he worked until his retirement. Ken also served on the boards of HelixCare, Helix Health Inc., and Medstar. After retiring from medicine in 2000, Ken began a second career as an advocate and lobbyist on behalf of marine fisheries conservation. He had joined the Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland in 1995 but became much more active after retirement, serving as Chairman and Government Relations Committee Chair in CCA MD as well as coordinating legislative affairs for the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association’s Perry Hall chapter as Chairman. Ken was also actively involved in the Oyster Advisory Commission up to 2019. He spent many hours on the road to and from Annapolis to be present at legislative hearings, and he worked hard to educate legislators and the public about sustainable fisheries. For his efforts, he was the 2020 Recipient of the Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award along with Lefty Kreh. Ken was a man with many hobbies, principle among them was fishing. He was a happy man when fly fishing in rivers with his buddies or on the flats of Belize, surf fishing on the beach in NC, or saltwater fishing off the deck of a boat. He loved tying flies at the beach house in NC with his grandkids close by, sometimes using feathers or animal hair given to him by friends and coworkers who were always on the lookout for potential materials. Ken and Bonny were avid world travelers, first through trips to medical meetings and later as enthusiastic participants on many trips with friends and family. One of the highlights was river rafting in the Grand Canyon. They opened up the world to their grandkids via trips to Alaska, the Amazon, Costa Rica, Europe, Mexico, and a 50th wedding anniversary to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. All four grandkids caught the travel bug and are carrying on this legacy. Ken loved to read, keeping up with nonfiction and current events while also plowing through mysteries at a breakneck pace. Ken and Bonny were long-time theater buffs who spent many hours at Center Stage and even more hours at pre- or post-dinners at Tio Pepes with friends. Ken’s interest in Mexico and Central America led him to an immersion Spanish course in Guatemala and a 2002-day Duolingo Spanish streak. As a birder, he was often seen with binoculars around his neck. Ken was a kind man who cared deeply about his patients and his family and friends. When asked, his grandchildren described him as smart, humble, patient, generous, and dedicated to his passions. To the end, his sense of humor and good nature remained. Ken is predeceased by Bonny, his wife of 67 years, and is survived by his sister Lynda; his son Ken Jr. and daughter Lynn and their spouses Susan and Tod; his grandchildren Megan, Jesse, Katherine, and Natalie; and many other relatives and friends. A Memorial Service will be held on October 25, 2025 at 1:00 pm in the Auditorium at Broadmead, 13801 York Rd, Cockeysville, MD 21030. Refreshments will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland (https://www.ccamd.org/donate/) or The John A. Boynton Scholarship Assistance Fund for Broadmead employees (https://www.broadmead.org/giving.html).

Dr. Kenneth Baker Lewis

July 25, 1933 - October 4, 2025