On Thursday, July 1, 2021, Film Professor Brian Lewis passed away peacefully at his Corona Del Mar home with his loving wife, Abbie, by his side. Brian was 77.
At an early age, Brian’s athleticism was highlighted at the Harbor Boys’ Club in track and basketball, Newport Harbor High School in track, and Orange Coast College in volleyball. He was also an avid surfer, competitive beach volleyball and tennis player, skier, and sailor. When he was a teenager, Brian’s photography skills landed him photos in Surfer and International Surfer magazines.
He was a graduate of San Francisco State University, where he received his Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees. Brian came back to his alma mater, Orange Coast College, when hired in 1970 by Dave Grant to coach the sailing team and teach in the Photography Dept. Shortly thereafter he started the Film Dept. with a donation of film equipment from KOCE-TV. As Chairman of the Department for the next 23 years he built the program in to one with a national reputation. During his tenure, he created film production and film history classes, an annual student film festival, semester abroad “Costa Rica,” authored course study books and invited many film industry professionals to campus, including graduates of the program. In 2007, Professor Lewis was one of the first faculty to create a 100% online class based on his very popular History and Appreciation of the Cinema class. Professor Lewis also created the first film industry directory for Orange County equipping students with a valuable source for job opportunities.
In 2010, after 40 years, Professor Lewis retired from fulltime teaching but continued to teach his online Film History class until 2013. During those 43 years Brian was passionately devoted to creating the best possible experience for his students. With robust lectures, great facilities and access to all the equipment students needed to succeed.
Brian’s legacy lives on in his son, Brian T. Lewis, his daughter, Shannon Dohnel, his 11 grandchildren, and the thousands of OCC students he inspired.
A memorial is being planned for September.