Judge Royce Rutledge Lewellen, whose Santa Barbara County career spanned from the courtroom to the vineyard, died on September 2. He was 89 years old.
Among other accolades, Lewellen founded Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards with his longtime friend and regional pioneer Louis Lucas in 1996, and is also the man for whom the Santa Maria courthouse is named.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Jefferson City, Lewellen graduated from the University of Missouri and U.C. Berkeley School of Law. Amid a storied legal career, Lewellen served as a dedicated philanthropist, giving his time and money to such organizations as Solvang Business Association, Solvang Chamber of Commerce, Solvang Rotary, Solvang School Board, Santa Ynez Presbyterian Church, Santa Maria Rotary, Santa Maria Valley YMCA, Allan Hancock College, Family Services of Santa Barbara County, and Community Bank of Santa Maria. Through the Solvang Business Association, he and others developed the Solvang Festival Theater in 1974.