Geoffrey Lewis

Master Fire Fighter/Paramedic Geoffrey A. Lewis has answered his last call to service.  On March 10, 2016 Geoff unexpectedly passed away in his sleep at age 46 at his home in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Born May 2, 1969 in Coronado, CA, Geoff is the son of Alan Lewis and Lynne VanLeeuwen Lewis of Severna Park, MD.  He grew up in Severna Park where he graduated from Severna Park High School in 1987. He was baptized, confirmed and served as acolyte at St. Martin’s In-the-Field Episcopal Church.  He was awarded a BS degree in Emergency Health Services from UMBC and achieved certification as a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Services Technician – Paramedic in 1992. He was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity at UMBC.  He worked for five years for Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC and was one of the first four charter paramedics on their neo-natal  team providing critical transport care to premature infants and other pediatric patients.   In 1998 he successfully completed training at the Montgomery County Fire Academy and joined the County Fire and Rescue Service as a Firefighter/Paramedic at Rockville MD, Station 23.

While assigned to Station 23, Geoff met and fell in love with his life partner, Kim Lee Lerch, and they were married in Duck, NC in 2003.  They resided at the Harpers Ferry home until his death.

It was evident from the beginning of his time at the Fire Academy that the Fire and Rescue Service was both Geoff’s calling in life and his true passion.  In addition to his love of big trucks, he relished the opportunity to use his paramedic and firefighting skills to help those in need, the adrenalin rush of answering the alarm call, and the wonderful comradery he enjoyed with all of his fellow fire fighters.  He was promoted to Master Fire Fighter/Paramedic in April 2004 and subsequently transferred to Cabin John, MD, Station 30.  At Station 30 he joined the Montgomery County Swift Water Rescue Team, further expanding his opportunity to serve those in need.

Geoff is survived by his aforementioned parents and wife, and by three daughters, Shelbi, Taylor, and Austyn of the family home.  Also by brother Foster Lewis(Heather) of Sykesville MD,  sister Katie Hopkins(Evan) of Millersville, MD, uncle Evan VanLeeuwen (Sandy) of Gloucester, VA, cousin Tripp VanLeeuwen(Stephanie) of Chesapeake, VA, and cousin Clayton VanLeeuwen(Shanna) of Norfolk, VA.  Also surviving are his nieces Olivia and Charlotte Lewis, and Natalie and Leah Hopkins, his nephews and Godsons Jaden Lewis and Evan Hopkins, his first-cousins-once-removed Victoria and Sophia VanLeeuwen, and his Godson Jonathan Atkinson.  Geoff is also survived by Austyn’s dear friend Dakota Martin, and mother-in-law Betsy Shankle of Harpers Ferry.

A Celebration of Life Service for Geoff will be held on Monday, March 21 at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD.  Services will include a one-hour visitation period beginning at 1:00pm followed by the life celebration service at 2:00pm.  After the services, a reception will be held to celebrate Geoff’s life.   In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions in Geoff’s name be made to the Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Association’s Members’ Welfare and Benefits Fund, 932 Hungerford Dr., Suite 33-A, Rockville, MD  20850. Alternatively, memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Welfare Society, P. O. Box 147, Charles Town, WV 25414 in recognition of Geoff’s love for the many pets he had during his life including Tasha, Samson, Rainbow, Princess, Mickie, Boots, Mama Cat, and Milo.