Lewis "Lew" R. Hitch

Lewis “Lew” Rufus Hitch, 82, of Westmoreland, Kansas passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at Wamego City Hospital, in Wamego, Kansas. Lew was born in Griggsville, Illinois on July 16, 1929, the son of Rufus and Maurine (Jennings) Hitch. He attended schools in Griggsville. After graduating high school he attended Culver-Stockton Junior College on a basketball scholarship before attending Kansas State University to play basketball. During Lew’s senior season at Kansas State, the basketball team finished runner-up in the NCAA finals in 1951 to Kentucky. After college Lew was selected 19th overall in the 1951 NBA Draft, by the Minneapolis Lakers. Lew went on to average 5.0 points per game in his 7 year career, highlighted by 2 back-to-back world championships with the Lakers. On August 29, 1953, Lew married Danna Jean Foltz in Manhattan, Kansas; she preceded him in death on July 12, 2004. After playing basketball Lew went into coaching and teaching which led Lew and Danna to Ellis, KS and Wichita, KS for 12 years before Lew moved his family to Westmoreland, Kansas in 1971, where he became the Superintendent of USD #323 until his retirement in 1990. Lew was a member of the NBA Retired Players Association. Over the years he enjoyed golf, watching sporting events, playing bridge and cards and was a master of crossword puzzles. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Lew is survived by 3 sons: Dan Hitch and wife Mona, of Springfield, Tennessee, Ken Hitch and wife Christie of Wamego, Kansas and Ed Hitch and wife Paula of Elizabethtown, Kentucky; 1 sister: Donna Ditmer, of Chicago, Illinois; 2 brothers: Roy Hitch of Phoenix, AZ and Norm Hitch and wife Bev, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; 7 grandchildren: Shawn, Kelly, Casey, Kelsey, Colton, John and Elena and 4 great-grandchildren: Olivia, Emma, Riley and Belle. He was preceded in death by his wife Danna. Cremation has taken place and a private family graveside memorial service was held. Family is inviting everyone to a gathering to celebrate Lew’s life on Sunday, February 12, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Celebrations, 706 4th St., Wamego, KS. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to USD #323 and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.