Robert H. 'Bob' Lehman, 85
Robert "Bob" H. Lehman, 85, Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army, retired, died Nov. 13, 2005.
He was born May 3, 1920, the youngest of nine children, to Fredrica and Herman Lehman in Great Falls.
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 Burma, Iran and India. After serving his country in Korea, 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 five years. He served First Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, Wash., as an elder, deacon and Christian education director. He was a board member and 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, 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, Wash., 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 and 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 toured 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 and wife, Brenda, and Kenneth; daughters, Ruth, and Linda "Marie" and husband, Gary Bricker; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Ray, and wife, Beverly Johnson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Public viewing is available from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Masonic Center, 521 North St. S.E., Tumwater, Wash. There will be a celebration of life at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at The United Churches, 110 11th Ave. S.E., Olympia. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at Fort Vancouver Barracks Cemetery on Fourth Plain in Vancouver, Wash.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heifer International c/o The United Churches, or your local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.
Memories and condolences may be left at www.funeralalternatives.org.
Arrangements are with Funeral Alternatives of Washington, 360-753-1065.