Competing in four Summer Olympics, Lewe earned two medals in the C-1 1000 m event with a silver in 1968 and a bronze in 1972.[1] He also won four canoe sprint world championship medals with three golds (C-1 500 m: 1971, C-1 1000 m: 1966, 1971) and one silver (C-1 1000 m: 1963).[3][4] Lewe also carried the West German flag at the opening ceremonies of the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.[2]
Later in life
After the Olympics, Dortmund-born Lewe moved to Munich and became a butcher, a business he ran until prior to his 2008 death.[1][2] His shop was located near the Olympic area where the 1972 Summer Olympics were held.[2] Lewe died in Munich after a brief illness.[2]