NEW ORLEANS – Hewitt-Washington & Associates co-founder Lonnie Hewitt Jr. died from complications caused by COVID 19 on Jan. 25 at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge. He was 75.
After founding their architectural firm in 1978, Hewitt and James Washington enjoyed many successes and mentored dozens of minority architects. Hewitt also served on numerous boards and commissions and was known for his calm, confident style and humble approach to problem solving.
“Lonnie was my best friend and great business partner,” said Washington. “We hardly ever had disagreements and we always took care of each other and the people who worked for us. I will miss him dearly. Hewitt-Washington & Associates will continue our work and build on a strong legacy of competency and success.”
The firm began by designing single-family homes. The company began specializing in designing educational facilities in the early 1980s. HWA designed several facilities at Southern University Baton Rouge and several schools for the Orleans Parish Public School Board including Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary, Medard C. Nelson, Henry C. Schaumburg and, most recently, Booker T. Washington High School.
