Richard Dennis Kennedy of Norristown

Richard Dennis Kennedy, changed his name as an adult after researching his family history to Dennis J. Lewis. He was a former Washington journalist, union activist and a veteran. He died peacefully Nov. 2, 2017, of apparent heart failure at the Potomac Manor nursing home in Potomac Md. He was 78. Lewis, a native of Norristown, Pa., worked as a columnist at both the “Washington Star” and the “Washington Times” during the 1970s and 1980s, writing about local radio and television news and personalities. He later worked 15 years as a production editor at the Bureau of National Affairs (BNA), a newsletter publishing company now owned by Bloomberg Inc. and headquartered in Arlington, Va. While working as a radio-television columnist, Lewis frequently interviewed Howard Stern and Larry King, who were then working in Washington in the early stages of their careers. While at the “Washington Star” and BNA, Lewis was an activist with the Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild (WBNG), the union which represented employees at both companies. He was a co-chairman of the BNA unit for a number of years, served on the WBNG Executive Council, and participated in several Newspaper Guild national conventions. Lewis was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill, and an active participant with the St. Mark’s Players theater group, performing in various roles and writing program articles. After graduating from Norristown High School in 1957, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and received journalism training at the Defense Information School (DINFOS) at Fort Slocum in New York state. He served at a post in Saudi Arabia during part of his enlistment. As a teenager Dennis become very interested in politics and was an avid member of the “Young Democrats of America.” This led him to a lifelong passion and involvement with the party and the issues of the day.

Lewis was born July 27, 1939.

Mr. Lewis is survived by Three Brothers, John T. Kennedy of Collegeville, PA, Lew H. Hertzog of Limerick, PA, Robert S. Hertzog of Norristown, PA; He was pre-deceased by Sister, Bonnie J. Kennedy.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Ceremony at Cattermole - Klotzbach Funeral Home, 600 Washington Street, Royersford, PA on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 10:30 am. Burial will be held in the Riverside Cemetery, Norristown, PA. Friends will be received from 9:30 am - 10:30 am Thursday at the funeral home. Condolences may be made by visiting www.RoyersfordFuneralHome.com.