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Robert "Bob" Lehmann

July 29, 1939 - October 26, 2019
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Wednesday, October 30, 2019
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
Covenant Living of the Great Lakes - Chapel

Service

Wednesday, October 30, 2019
3:00 PM EDT
Covenant Living of the Great Lakes - Chapel
2510 Lake Michigan Drive NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Parking is available to the North of the chapel in between buildings and in a lot NE of the canopy.

Map

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 10069
Detroit, MI 48210
(616) 364-6121
Driving Directions
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Someone who was content in whatever life brought, Robert Lehmann lived a life of purpose while holding his loved ones near. He was a man of honor and courage who didn’t have an unkind word to say about anyone. Deeply devoted to his family, Bob was thrilled beyond measure to become a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather later in life. He was a great conversationalist and the sort of man everyone seemed to know. Life will never be the same without Bob here, but he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on in his footsteps.

The 1930s were a time unlike any other in America as the Great Depression covered our nation and much of the world in its grip. Although things were looking up as the decade was drawing to a close, we still had a lot of work to do in order to make a full recovery. It was in 1939 that Fredrick and Dorothea (Tripp) Lehmann were pleased to announce the birth of the baby boy they named Robert Fred on July 29th in Robinson Township, Michigan, in the Grand Haven area. He was one of four as he was joined in his family by one older sister and two younger sisters. Throughout his life he was always known as Bob.

In many ways, Bob was a young boy of his generation. As a student, he attended Clark School in Robinson Township, and since he excelled in his studies he was able to skip a grade. Bob always loved reading, and for the most part he preferred to be inside. Times were tough, and to earn the money he needed for school clothes he picked blueberries. Bob also started working at the age of 14 when he took a job at a local grocery store. His family was involved in church, which provided him with the strong foundation of faith that was his constant companion.

After graduating from Grand Haven High School in 1957, Bob was eager for all that life had in store. He took some classes at Muskegon Business College, focusing on accounting and business. Bob also spent one year at Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music. From there he joined the United States Army where he received stenographer training. Bob spent time serving in Germany, which he enjoyed. He earned the rank of E-5 while in the military and he spent some time working as stenographer for the Adjutant General, which gave him top-secret security clearance. As a civilian, Bob spent 30 years at Teledyne Continental in Muskegon where he did a variety of office work including data control clerk, finance clerk, secretary, and accountant. Bob also spent a few years working in accounting for Wolverine Power in Spring Lake in addition to a few other jobs before retiring. In his last job at Motion Dynamics, Bob was able to work with one of his daughters and sons-in-law. He worked hard in everything he did and was interested in improving his skills and focused on technology. Bob learned various computer programs to stay current in the workplace, and even after retiring he was always willing to help others fix their computer issues.

Life was forever changed for Bob when he met Jean Rodgers after returning from the military. She was a few years younger, and his sister was married to her brother. They began dating and were later married. They settled in Grand Haven and then Muskegon, which is where they raised their three girls, Paula, Yvette, and Colleen. Bob gave his daughters unconditional love, and he was slow to anger, fair, loving, empathetic, kind, and a gentle soul. In everything, he was always more concerned about his daughters than he was for himself. Bob was a simple family man who worked hard to provide for his wife and children. For a time he even worked a second job at the gas station, which was fun for the girls since they could visit him on their bikes. They took a family trip to Cedar Point every year, and they also took a few additional trips including to Chicago and Washington, D.C. As a family they were members at Bethel Baptist Church in Muskegon where Bob volunteered to prepare the bulletins. This actually became a family event each week. Although their marriage ended in divorce after 20 years, Bob was forever grateful for the daughters they shared.

New and exciting days were in store for Bob when he met and married Jeanette Reaume. Together they enjoyed their sunset years. Bob kept in touch with his daughters and always asked about each and every one of his grandchildren. Bob was so proud of his daughters and grandchildren, and he made sure they knew it, too. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, and for many years he would visit every week to enjoy lunch and games with them. Bob tried his hand at a few hobbies liked bowling, but the only thing that really stuck was reading. He loved westerns, mysteries, other fiction, and newspapers, but his favorite author was Louis L’Amor. Bob and Jeanette were members at Forest Park Covenant Church.

After retiring, Bob and Jeanette moved to Covenant Living of the Great Lakes in Grand Rapids. There, he volunteered in different areas and was always willing to engage in conversation with the friends they made. Bob also loved to sing.

All who knew Robert “Bob” Lehmann would agree that he was an extraordinary man to know and love. He was sweet, kindhearted, and soft-spoken, and he continually put others first. Someone who was content in whatever life brought, Bob worked hard to provide for those he loved. He will never be forgotten.

Robert F. Lehmann, age 80 of Grand Rapids, passed away on October 26, 2019. He was preceded in death by his wife Jeanette in 2016; and by his sisters Margaret Yahne and Carol Appel. Bob is survived by his children Paula & Bill Beck, Yvette & Sean Fifield, Colleen & John Jazdzyk; grandchildren (and great grandchildren) Amy & Paul Yaeger (Josiah and Eliza), Trevor & Brittany Beck, Amanda & Kendall Shilling (Chloe and Marley), Katie & TJ Keiper, Makayla and Evin Jazdzyk; sister, Lois Ferguson, as well as nieces and nephews. The service to remember and celebrate Bob’s life will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at 3 PM in the Chapel at Covenant Living of Great Lakes, 2510 Lake Michigan Dr. NW where friends may visit with his family from 2 PM until the service, and for a time immediately following the service. Contributions in Bob’s memory to the American Cancer Society are appreciated. To read more about Bob’s life, to share a favorite memory or photo or to sign the guestbook visit www.heritagelifestory.com

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