Samuel W. Lewis (1930-2014) was an American diplomat and Princeton University alumnus (class of 1964). A graduate magna cum laude from Yale University and holder of a Master's degree from the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, he joined the United States Foreign Service in 1954, beginning his career as a consular officer in Naples, followed by service as a political officer and acting principal officer in Florence from 1955 to 1959, and as officer in charge of Italian Affairs in the State Department from 1959 to 1961. His 31-year diplomatic career included assignments in Italy, Brazil, Afghanistan, Israel, and Washington, D.C., where he was influenced by figures such as Chester Bowles, undersecretary of state under President John F. Kennedy. Lewis served as U.S. Ambassador to Israel from 1977 to 1985. After retirement, he continued contributing to Middle East policy, serving as Counselor at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy from 1995 to 1998, as a member of WINEP's Board of Advisors, and as Visiting Professor of International Relations at Hamilton College and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University. He was eulogized as a peacemaker who bridged cultures and championed negotiations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.