EUGENE–Bob and Beverly Lewis don’t know if any of the three horses they have running in the May 6 Kentucky Derby will bring home a trophy. But it’s a sure bet the Newport Beach, Calif., couple will capture one for themselves a week later.

The Lewises, Thoroughbred racing enthusiasts and philanthropists who met and fell in love at the University of Oregon, will be honored Friday, May 12, with the 2000 UO Pioneer Award at a gala event in Portland.

Described as horseracing’s goodwill ambassadors, the Lewises bring a new spirit to the sport with their down-to-earth sincerity, sunny dispositions and graciousness in the face of both victory and defeat. They owned two Triple Crown contenders, Silver Charm and Charismatic, as well as the all-time career money-winning filly, Serena’s Song.

Three of their currently competing horses–High Yield, Commendable and Impeachment–
qualified for this year’s Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown, which also includes the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

The Lewises are true Ducks. Beverly Deichler Lewis was the UO’s Betty Coed in 1947. Bob was a cheerleader for the Ducks and one of his duties was delivering the university’s mascot–a live duck named Puddles–to games. The couple met on campus in the fall of 1946 and married in 1947. They even add a touch of Duck spirit to their passion for horseracing. The jockeys for their many champion Thoroughbreds always wear green and gold silks.

The Lewises share their passion for life and their good fortune in both horseracing and their southern California beer distributing business with family, friends, employees and many others.

They gave $5 million to establish the Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, where Bob served on the board of directors for 17 years. They also contributed to the Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation in Pomona, where they are trustees; to an organization that provides hot-air balloon rides for handicapped children; and to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. They endowed scholarships at Dartmouth and the Claremont Colleges and contributed generously to the University of Oregon.

"Bob and Beverly Lewis have been goodwill ambassadors not only for horseracing but also for the University of Oregon," says UO President Dave Frohnmayer. "Their integrity, enthusiasm, graciousness and willingness to help others have reflected well on their alma mater, especially since they literally fly the Oregon colors wherever they go."

The Lewises will be honored for their leadership and generosity during a gala evening dinner and program on Friday, May 12, at the Portland Marriott Downtown.

The black-tie event, expected to attract several hundred people, will include a reception, dinner, program and dancing. Net proceeds will fund a UO Presidential Scholarship and those who wish can contribute to the scholarship fund even if they don’t attend. For more information about tickets and the scholarship fund, call the Special Events Office in the UO Office of Development, (541) 346-0783.

Inaugurated in 1979, the UO Pioneer Award is presented to alumni and others who have become leaders and risk-takers in their fields. Last year’s award went to Dan Wieden, a 1967 UO graduate and cofounder of Wieden & Kennedy, one of the most successful advertising agencies in the world.

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