Ron Lewer

Born and raised in Council Bluffs, Lewer was the youngest of three children and a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. After college, he enlisted in the Army for four years and then returned to Omaha to work for Union Pacific Railroad in the accounting department. It was during his time at Union Pacific that Lewer remembered first giving to United Way.

After 30 years of dedicated service, he retired but still stayed active walking several miles daily and attending church every Sunday. He was also the caregiver for his parents in their later years, and he took a 15-day train trip to Oregon every year to see family members.

According to his older brother, Larry, Lewer was also "without a doubt, the most frugal individual I ever met…and at the same time, the most generous." This generosity led to Larry convincing his brother to set up a trust since he was determined to leave funds to various charities upon his passing.

Lewer was a loyal member of UWM's Tocqueville Society, for which he paid his life insurance premium each year as his gift to UWM. Upon his passing in November 2021, his generous legacy gift provided more than $836,000 to the endowment, generating nearly $36,000 every year to assist UWM in helping those who need it most in our community.

"He exemplified the millionaire next door," said Larry. "He never made a lot of money, but he saved everything and prioritized giving back to the community."