Andrea Lewis
It was a hard thing for me to learn today that Andrea Lewis, long time public affairs programmer at KPFA-FM in Berkeley, is dead. The statement from KPFA’s Amelia Gonzalez (see below) says that it may have been a heart attack. Whatever did her in, it’s a huge tragedy. She was 52 years young.
Andrea was a vibrant, intelligent and credible voice at KPFA, a spirited interviewer interested in everything and anything related to human (and even non-human) affairs. I was privileged to be interviewed by her on many occasions, and enjoyed myself thoroughly every time.
My heart goes out to Andrea’s parents and to all her loved ones, friends, and colleagues everywhere as we come to terms with this awful loss.
“It is we deep sadness that we bring you the news of the death of our own Andrea Lewis this weekend of an apparent heart attack at her San Francisco home. She was just 52. Andrea’s parents are on their way from Florida. We are planning a memorial service and will let you know as soon as we have details. Andrea came to KPFA in 1999 as a co-host of the Morning Show. She later became host of Sunday Sedition and an Evening News Co-Anchor. Andrea was a true Renaissance woman with an interest in politics, world affairs, sports, science, music and the arts. She was dedicated to discussing on and off the air the issues of social justice, especially in regards to racial and gender equity. Her booming laugh filled the hallways of the station. Andrea occasionally hosted Pacifica National broadcasts; she was an early host for Free Speech Radio News. Andrea wrote for the Progressive Magazine, sang with the S.F. Community Chorus, was a former Knight Journalism Fellow at Stanford University — and was an avid golfer. We — and the listeners — will all miss her tremendously.”
