Joe J. Lehman

Dr. Joe J. Lehman, 91 years old, died on April 23, 2013. He was born on July 1, 1921, in Versailles pronounced "ver-sales", MO to Joseph A. and Bertha G. Lehman. He earned a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Bethel College in N. Newton, KS. He met Eleanor at Bethel; they were married at the campus chapel in May 1943. Joe went on to earn M.S. 1947 and Ph.D 1949 degrees in Organic Chemistry at Washington State University in Pullman. He was a member of the Organic Chemistry faculty at Colorado State University from 1949 until his retirement 41 years later in 1991 as Emeritus Professor. Joe joined the Navy Reserve in 1943 and served in active duty as a line officer on the USS Caelum in the Pacific theater during World War II; as a medical officer at the Naval Medical Research Laboratory at Camp Lejeune, NC during the Korean War; and as a professor at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD in 1961. He retired from military service with the rank of Captain in 1981. Joe is survived by Eleanor, his wife and best friend of 70 years; sons, Stanwood and Scott; daughters, Barbara Brady and Lizabeth Cannon; nine grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. Joe poured his love of life through many vessels, including students, colleagues, neighbors, and most dearly his family. The family is observing private remembrances of his love, faith, kindness, honesty, joy of life, keen mind, and wit. No formal ceremony is planned. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.