Harvey Lehman

Harvey C. Lehman, 99, died Monday, January 1, 2003, at the Cedar's Health Care Center, McPherson. Born February 26, 1903, outside Holland, Kansas southeast of Abilene, Harvey was a renaissance man of Kansas. His early days were spent in a one room school, running trap lines with his twin brother Harry, or behind a team of horses on family acreage planting and harvesting wheat. His interests soon broadened.

Harvey attended high school at McPherson Academy. Following graduation, he and Harry walked across western Kansas selling veterinary medical books to farmers. After a year, they had purchased two horses and saved enough to attend college at McPherson College, McPherson, Kansas. While there, Harvey excelled in many areas including three years on the state college winning debate team, four years in state agricultural judging, and President of the College YMCA. Following graduation from college in 1927, Harvey, his brother Harry, and nine other students joined Dr. Harvey Nininger and his family in a nine-month "Natural History Trek". Harvey would delight in telling anyone who was willing to listen about that trip and how they rode in four brand new two-door Pontiacs. From Kansas to Manhattan to Florida to Arizona and all points in between, Harvey studied and learned about the history, geography, and natural resources of America.

Upon his return in 1928, Harvey married Ruth Kurtz. They were married 66 years. During their married life, Harvey taught high school one year at Garden City High School, three years at Chanute High School, and 14 years at Salem High (Ohio) School as instructor of English and journalism. During those depression years in Ohio, Harvey and Ruth not only raised their family but also ran a small truck farm selling vegetables, strawberries, and other fruits.

Harvey was a devoted churchman. His faith was one of quiet devotion supported by daily bible reading, study, and prayer. He served as a free minister for two rural Church of the Brethren Congregations in Ohio while teaching in Salem. In 1946, Harvey and Ruth returned to Kansas. Harvey served as a full time Church of the Brethren pastor for the Salem and Eden Valley Churches in Kansas, Antelope Park Church of the Brethren in Lincoln, Nebraska, and the Newton Kansas Church of the Brethren. He also served as Elder, District Board Member, and seven times as District Moderator. He was on the Board of Trustees for many years for McPherson College. For five years, Harvey also served diligently as head of the Department of Public Relations and Development for McPherson College. He was a member of the McPherson Rotary Club and the Retired Teachers' Association. On May 24, 1987, Harvey received a Citation of Merit Award from McPherson College for "Outstanding Service to Profession, Community, Church, and College."

In their later years together, Harvey and Ruth became world travelers. They visited their son, Dick, in Japan and Alaska. They visited Hawaii, Taiwan, India, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, and Russia. They lived their retirement years together at the Cedars Towers with frequent trips to Arizona to visit their daughter, Joanne, and occasional trips to the Midwest to see their son, John, and daughter, Carolyn.

Harvey's dedication to and love for people never diminished. He served on several occasions as a teacher and volunteer on Arizona Native American Reservations. He also served for years as a volunteer for the Prairie View Mental Health Center.

Harvey lived a life of hard work, curiosity, discipline, love of learning and teaching, and devotion to his loving wife, Ruth, his family, and the students and churches he served. Anyone who ever joined him at one of his morning "coffee groups" will remember his wry humor and affable smile. He will be missed by many.

Harvey is survived by four children; Joanne of Yuma Arizona; Richard (Dick) of Anchorage, Alaska; John of Sault Saint Marie, Michigan; Carolyn, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; a foster sister, Alice Weber of McPherson; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 4, 2003, at the McPherson Church of the Brethren with Rev. Chris Whitacre officiating. Internment will be at the McPherson Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 8:00 PM Friday at Stockham Family Funeral Home, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

The family suggests memorial contributions in his memory be given to the Harvey C. And Ruth (Kurtz) Lehman Student Scholarship Fund at McPherson College, McPherson, Kansas, The Cedars, or a charity of the donor's choice. All donations may be sent in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Harvey Lehman please visit our Sympathy Store.