Obituary of Robert H. Lehman

Sun. Nov. 20, 2005 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. the Masonic Center 521 North Street SE Tumwater Robert (Bob) H. Lehman Lt. Colonel, US Army, Retired May 3, 1920 - November 13, 2005 Bob Lehman, 85, was the youngest of nine children born to Fredrica & Herman Lehman in Great Falls, Montana. Fly fishing and hunting filled his spare moments from school and jobs with Teeples Market and Anaconda Copper Mining Company until World War II. He was drafted and soon became an officer in the Medical Service Corps serving in China, Iran and India. He continued to serve his country in Korea, and he and his family were together at posts in Japan, Germany, Utah and Washington State. Retirement in 1963 allowed him to expand his life of service to the church and local and international organizations in each community where he lived. Bob was the Vancouver Memorial Hospital Business Manager for 5 years. He served First Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, WA, as an elder, deacon and Christian Education Director. He was a board member & president of the Clark-Multnomah County YMCA. He became a devoted volunteer for Heifer Project International and continued this involvement when he moved back to Montana in 1979. While assisting his brothers at the end of their lives in Kalispell, MT, he was active in the Presbyterian Church, worked as Synod Hunger Coordinator, and shared the Heifer Project mission with everyone he met. In the Flathead Valley he established the first Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Montana. In 1997 Bob moved to Olympia to be near his children. There he shared with his new church family at The United Churches how to decrease hunger and increase self-development through Heifer International animals & training. He swung a hammer and made lunches for South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity. He loved to travel for a purpose and escorted animals to the Philippines and Rocky Boy Indian Reservation. He reviewed Heifer projects in Africa, Central America and Molokai. He joined Jimmy Carter in a Habitat Blitz Build in Hungary, and also championed a sister church in Costa Rica. He filled minutes at home with growing vegetables in his garden, and dreaming about the next fishing trip. He is survived by his loving wife and partner of 59 years, Carolyn; sons, Richard (Brenda) and Kenneth; daughters, Ruth and Linda ‘Marie’ (Gary) Bricker; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Ray (Beverly) Johnson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Public viewing is available Sunday, November 20, 2005 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Masonic Center, 521 North Street SE, Tumwater. There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, November 20, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. at The United Churches, 110-11th Avenue SE, Olympia. A graveside service will be held Monday, November 21, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at Fort Vancouver Barracks Cemetery on 4th Plain, Vancouver, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heifer International c/o The United Churches, or your local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.