By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Editor
Lewis Murray – who has served as the mountain field representative for Supervisors Janice Rutherford and Dawn Rowe – had his eye on his watch.
As the hands moved toward 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 21, Murray was all smiles as he was officially retired from service to the county.
Supervisor Rowe and her staff held a retirement party for Murray at Ritual Brewing Company in Redlands. It was well attended by many mountain folks, members of Murray’s family and colleagues past and present.
The county resolution details Lewis Murray’s life in Lake Arrowhead and his service to two supervisors.
As the supervisor presented Murray with a resolution from the county – which detailed his years of service in the Lake Arrowhead communities over the past 43 years – she thanked him for his dedication to the residents.
Supervisor Rowe said Supervisor Rutherford had told her Murray was planning to retire at the end of her term but “he graciously stayed on. It’s been fun to have him.
“It’s been great to have him and the knowledge he brings of the mountain communities,” she said.
“Retiring has been on my mind,” Murray said. “Years from now I will remember all the wonderful people I worked with.”
One line in the resolution sums up the high regard in which Murray was held: “Whereas Lewis Murray has earned the utmost respect amongst his neighbors and colleagues for his expertise, diligence and commitment to public service.”
In addition to commending Murray for his “years of outstanding service to San Bernardino County,” the resolution concludes by saying that “the members of this Board join family, friends and colleagues in wishing him a long, happy and fulfilling retirement with wife Brenda and their children and grandchildren.”
Brenda was there, of course, as were Murray’s brother Mike, visiting from Wyoming, and sister Monica and her husband. His daughter Katrina was also there with her husband and sons.
Murray had begun his service with the county in 2012 when he joined Supervisor Janice Rutherford’s staff. When she termed out, Murray helped with the transition to Supervisor Dawn Rowe and continued as her representative starting in 2022.
Scott Vanhorne composed and sang a song celebrating his friend.
Former Supervisor Rutherford was unable to attend the party but posted on Facebook: “Working with him (Lewis Murray) was one of my career highlights! Wishing you both much happiness and fun in retirement.”
While working for Supervisor Rutherford, Murray and Scott Vanhorne became good friends. The surprise of the retirement party was Vanhorne arriving, guitar in hand. He sang a song he composed especially for the event – “The Lewinator,” set to the tune of Bob Dylan’s “Hurricane.”
In the song Vanhorne writes, “He didn’t let the power go to his head. He helped his supervisors do good instead, fighting drug houses every day, making chem trails go away, ensuring the roads get plowed, and that the planes don’t get too loud.”
The Alpine Mountaineer thanks Lewis Murray for his dedication to the mountain and for always finding the answers to our questions. We wish him a happy retirement.
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