Pensacola has a long history of people who have been successful in their business endeavors and have reinvested in the community in important ways. Not necessarily seeking recognition, their involvement in lending time, talent, and treasure to the arts, health and wellness, and support for those needing a helping hand through local programs raises the overall well-being and appeal of their hometown. These philanthropists see their largess as an opportunity to leave their community a better place long after they are gone.

Such is the case of Lewis Bear, Jr., whose impact continues since his passing on March 3, 2023. He was 82, and he and his family’s investments have been felt throughout the Pensacola area for decades. As longtime President and CEO of The Lewis Bear Company, he was a leading force behind much of the region’s economic growth and civic endeavors. 

Appropriately, a statue in his honor will be unveiled on March 20th at The Pensacola Museum of Art, where he was instrumental in lending support, guidance, and commitment, serving as Chairman of the Board and Trustee Emeritus for many years. In addition to majoring in both Math and English from Troy University, Lewis’s love of the arts is reflected in his minor degree in Art. His lifelong commitment to the arts community came to him naturally, as his mother was a founding member of the Pensacola Museum of Art.

The idea of honoring Lewis Bear with a bronze statue and having it placed in Downtown Pensacola was conceived by Jim Reeves, who, along with Collier Merrill and Maria Goldberg, presented the idea to Lewis’s wife, Belle Yates Bear, to whom he was married for 56 years. Collier, who Lewis mentored since his graduation from the University of West Florida, has remained a devoted friend to the Bear family, including Belle and Lewis’ children, Lewis, III, daughter Cindi, and son David. 

“Lewis would be very humbled and embarrassed by all this attention,” says Belle. “Our family agreed that the statue was an appropriate thing to do. The next step was to select a sculptor and determine where to place the statue. He was a life-long supporter and member of the board, serving as Chairman for many years. He would be honored to be associated with the Museum in this way.”

Sculptor Bob Rasmussen was commissioned to create the life-size bronze sculpture that will welcome visitors from the new Main Street entrance to the museum. A native of Rio Vista, California, he is a noted military artist and a retired naval aviator, and served as a Captain in the United States Navy. Additionally, he served as a former member of the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, and was a former Director of the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola.

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A Historic Perspective

In 2007, Lewis and Belle formed the Bear Family Foundation, and throughout the years, it has supported over 114 non-profit organizations that the Lewis Bear Companies serve. The Pensacola Museum of Art is one of the organizations.

“After an Impact 100 grant request on behalf of the Museum to fund the project for the new entry and sculpture garden was denied, we decided this would be a perfect place to erect the statue,” says Belle. Funds were made available through the Bear Family Foundation to create a new entrance to the museum off Main Street, where the Lewis Bear statue will be placed in a newly constructed plaza.

Maria Goldberg, a longtime friend of Lewis and Belle, served as the Pensacola Museum of Art’s Executive Director for ten years, beginning when she was just  27 years old. Maria has been instrumental in helping to select the sculptor and gather images from which Rasmussen could work. 

Maria, now the Director of Public Relations at Great Southern Restaurants, and, along with Jim Reeves and Collier Merrill, President and Owner of Great Southern Restaurants, have worked closely with Belle and the Bear family. They were instrumental in coordinating a fundraising effort to commission the statue of Lewis Bear, Jr. through the Friends of Lewis Bear, Jr.

Recently, over lunch at The Fish House with Belle and Maria, Belle told the story of Collier’s mother asking Lewis to mentor Collier after he earned his degree from the University of West Florida. “Collier has been like another son to us,” says Belle. He and Lewis, and our children, became fast friends, serving on many civic and non-profit boards over the years.”

Maria credits Lewis Bear, Jr., with much of her “business and life education. There was a lot of love. “That’s just who Lewis was,” says Maria. “Lewis served by example. Never seeking recognition, it’s hard to find something positive that’s happened in Pensacola and the surrounding communities that doesn’t bear Lewis’ handprints.” Lewis was also recognized with an honorary doctorate from UWF. Additionally, the Bear Family Foundation gave a $5 million legacy gift to name the Lewis Bear, Jr. College of Business in his honor.

Lewis also served as Chairman on the University of West Florida’s Board, growing its campus footprint and impact on the community. “When UWF took ownership of our cultural buildings in downtown Pensacola, it meant that they took responsibility for the maintenance, so funds could be freed up for programs. It was a game changer,” says Maria.

Pensacola has long been a city that embraces and supports the arts. Every city worth its salt(water) offers cultural opportunities for the public to enjoy—museums filled with works by renowned artists, opera, symphony, live theater, music, festivals, and more. These experiences enrich a community and help make a city a vibrant place to live, work, and play.

Lewis Bear, Jr., believed deeply in the importance of the arts. He shared that passion generously, inspiring his family and many friends to follow his example by supporting artistic organizations and the programs that keep culture thriving.

Lewis and Belle’s son, David, with Maria, created Foo Foo Fest, an opportunity to add economic value during the tourist off-season to celebrate the arts in every fashion available. This 12-day event is sandwiched between the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival and the Blue Angels Homecoming Show held each year in Pensacola.  

The impact that Lewis Bear and his family have had, and continue to have, on Pensacola is captured by Belle’s words: 

The idea for the new Sculpture Garden entrance began when the Museum applied for an IMPACT 100 grant for the project, but was not selected. Afterward, I spoke with Lewis about it, and we both felt strongly that it was a worthy and meaningful improvement for the community. Together, we decided to fund the entrance through The Bear Family Foundation so the project could move forward.

The statue itself grew out of the generosity and affection of Lewis’s friends. When Jim Reeves, Collier Merrill and Maria Goldberg approached us about creating a sculpture in his honor, we were truly touched. They suggested placing it at the Museum, within the new Sculpture Garden, and we immediately felt it was the perfect location. Seeing the statue there now, completing the space, brings us great joy and a deep sense of gratitude.

Lewis was deeply involved in many aspects of our community throughout his life, and he earned the respect and affection reflected in this tribute. I hope that when people visit the garden and see his statue, they will take a moment to read about his life and the many ways he worked to support the arts and strengthen our community.

More than anything, I hope they see it as a reminder that one person’s dedication, given generously and consistently over time, can make a lasting difference. If the sculpture inspires others to invest in and care for our community in their own way, that would be a meaningful legacy for Lewis.