Richard (Dick) Lewis, a 37-year member of the River Hills/Lake Wylie Lions Club, was inducted into the South Carolina Lions Club Hall of Fame during the annual meeting in Spartanburg—an honor marking a first for his club. Nominated by club president Don Nowak, Lewis was recognized for decades of service, joining an elite group of only about 120 members honored statewide over the past 60 years.
NEWS RELEASE – May 27, 2025
Richard (Dick) Lewis, a long-time member of the River Hills/Lake Wylie Lions Club, was recently installed in the South Carolina Lions Club Hall of Fame during the annual meeting in Spartanburg. The award, a first for his host club, recognizes his service to the community through the local club over 37 years. River Hills/Lake Wylie Lions club is celebrating 50 years of service.
He was nominated by current club president, Don Nowak.
Past Lions Club district governor, Jim Barbare, who served on the selection committee said there were more nominees this year throughout the state and that for him to receive the honor is a sincere tribute to his service. Barbare further said that considering there are thousands of Lions Club members throughout South Carolina, Dick joins an elite group of about 120 members recognized in the past 60 years.
Lewis, a former president of the River Hills/Lake Wylie Lions Club was also named “Lion of the Year” and a “Melvyn Jones Fellow,” the highest honor a Lion can achieve.
He was instrumental in the formation of the River Hills/Lake Wylie Lions Community Foundation, 18 years ago, which donates money annually to dozens of charitable organizations throughout the Lake Wylie/Clover area.
He also came up with the idea of a community newspaper, called the “Roaring Eagle,” by working with Clover District High School and its journalism curriculum, in educating students, reaching over 20,000 residents digitally every month.
In learning of his selection, Lewis said, “Our motto is we serve as Lions, and I have always subscribed to that and believed the feeling in serving gives you a lot of pleasure and I get so much more back.”
Professionally, he was the founder of the Greater Charlotte Auto Show, an annual consumer event that has been in existence for over 30 years. He works with the local car dealers providing a vehicle for a “hole-in-one” prize for the Lions Club annual golf outing that also provides funds for distribution to organizations in the area.