Steven H, Lewis, a highly-respected Chicago accountant, passed away unexpectedly on September 29, 2021. Steve was born on March 20, 1946 to his parents, Leona and Bob Lewis. He graduated from Rich East High School and attended the University of Wisconsin in 1968, having earned a B.S. in Business Administration. Steve spent summers attending Camp Ojibwa from 1955 to 1968.  There, he made many lifelong friends that were the foundation for much of his personal and professional life.

After graduation, he went to work for Arthur Anderson, passing the CPA exam on the first try. He worked for 35 years with Harvey Wineberg at Wineberg and Lewis P.C., where he developed a truly prolific professional career. He also became a registered investment advisor in 1988 to better serve his clients’ needs. In 2006, Steve joined ORBA to further grow and develop his practice. 

Steve adored his clients and they adored him. He was always ethical, consistent and reliable, his moral compass guided by the lessons he learned from his father. Steve also took incredible pride in mentoring and training others, developing meaningful connections with his partners and staff throughout the firm. 

Steve was also instrumental in the development of the firm’s investment advisory subsidiary, ORBA Wealth Advisors. As a registered investment advisor, Steve helped clients successfully reach their personal financial milestones to ensure their financial security in retirement.  Steve was named a Five Star Investment Professional by Five Star Professional for six consecutive years, from 2014 to 2019.

Over the years, Steve was a member of many professional organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Illinois CPA Society and the BDO Alliance.  Steve was also a longtime member of the North Shore Congregation in Glencoe, Illinois.

He found his true soulmate in his wife, Maureen, to whom he was married for 18 years.  They shared a mutual love of books and movies.  They also loved to travel and recently spent time in La Jolla and Palm Beach. 

Steve loved his children, Jeff, Abbie, Cassie and Hillary, and his stepchildren, Jason and Amanda. He was connected to each of them uniquely and was proud to see them blossom in their own lives and to grow into their own families. 

Away from the office, Steve played golf and tennis.  He was an avid reader who preferred non-fiction and biographies, and was an accomplished Bridge player who was thrilled to be earning his master points and always had a weekly game going accompanied by his signature bowl of M&M’s.  Steve also loved watching the Badgers, Cubs and the Bulls. He also loved to barbeque and was known for his signature pancakes that he made in the initials of his children’s and grandchildren’s names.

Steve is survived by his wife Maureen; children, Jeffrey Lewis and his wife Lisa, Abbie Miller, Catherine “Cassie” Tompkins and her husband Trevor, Hillary Lewis and fiancé James Yonan; stepchildren, Jason Schwartz and wife Daniella, and Amanda Stern and husband Peter; grandchildren Lillian, Logan, Jesse, Kadence, Jarod, Peyton, Shane, Isabella and Theodore; and brothers Ken Lewis and wife Susan, and Michael Lewis and wife Yelena.

Steve’s quick wit, dry sense of humor and zest for life will always be remembered by his family, friends and colleagues.