Delano Eugene Lewis (del-AY-noh;[1] November 12, 1938 – August 2, 2023) was an American attorney, businessman and diplomat.

He was the United States ambassador to South Africa from 2000 to 2001, and previously held leadership roles at the Peace Corps and National Public Radio.

Delano Eugene Lewis was born on November 12, 1938, in Arkansas City, Kansas, into a family of "ardent Democrats".

[10] After graduation, Lewis went to work as an attorney in the U.S. Justice Department and later in the Office of Compliance in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

[8] Lewis joined The Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company in 1973 as a public affairs manager,[4][12] becoming its chief executive officer in 1990.

During his tenure, he served for three years on the board of Apple Computer,[14] citing "pressing time demands"[15] as the reason for leaving in 1997.

[9] President Bill Clinton named Lewis the U.S. ambassador to South Africa in 1999 and presented his credentials on January 21, 2000.