Robert L Lehman, 83, Orem, UT, passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 due to complications related to Parkinson’s.
Robert was born May 25, 1939 in Salt Lake City, UT. He was the 2nd of 3 children born to August and Amanda Lehman of Granger (West Valley City).
He was a happy child who loved playing all types of ball, hunting, and pulling pranks with his brother and cousins. In high school he played the drums in the band and loved his shop classes and church ball. In 1956, he graduated from Granger High School.
Immediately after high school, he joined the United States Navy and served for 4 years aboard the USS Saratoga as an aviation metalsmith. He loved the Navy and upon his return to Quonset Point, Rhode Island, he was honorably discharged from active duty and joined the Naval Reserve. He served in the reserve for an additional 36 years. In September of 1997, he officially retired from the Navy on the USS Constitution.
It was while serving in Rhode Island that he met and fell in love with Janice Bailey. They met at a dance which is still baffling to his family since none of his family has ever seen him dance. They married on November 19, 1961 in her parent’s home in Conimicut. Together they made Rhode Island their home for the next 60 years.
He was a beloved husband and father and together they raised 5 children. He taught his children by precept and example how to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, be accepting of all, serve whomever, wherever, and whenever, never pass up a sweet, and how to put salt on apples, watermelon, and cantaloupe.
Robert had a great sense of humor and could tell a good story. His children and grandchildren love to recount his many adventures/pranks with his brother and cousins. A favorite is how he gave a fake name to his future wife and then had to confess after they’d been dating a while. He was fun loving, kind hearted, generous, forgiving, and a very loveable man.
Robert was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many different “callings” or positions including Scout Master, counselor to 3 different bishops, High Councilman, bishop, and temple worker. His testimony of Jesus Christ as his Savior never wearied. Even on his death bed, he bore witness to his family that he knew that all would be saved through Jesus Christ.
Robert was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan.
He loved to travel. The Navy took him all over the Mediterranean, Puerto Rico, and Rota, Spain. During the summers, he loaded up his family in the truck and camper and traveled all over the United States. Robert and Janice traveled all over Brazil and Europe and went on 3 different cruises. Lake Powell was a favorite spot because there was no cell service and he could truly relax.
Robert loved working with his hands. High school shop classes and the Navy helped solidify his desire to earn a living with his hands. He became an apprentice in sheet metal fabrication. Earned his journeyman with Thoman and Austin Sheetmetal and later went out on his own, a master. His company Robert L Lehman and Sons was sought after by many and he never had to advertise. He was a humble man and always referred to himself as a tin knocker.
He had a strong work ethic. He would get up at 4 in the morning and go to work. He said he could get more done between 4 and 8am than the rest of the day. He always encouraged his children to be the first ones at work and the last to leave. He gave his all and best in whatever task he was doing. “It takes less time to do it right the first time,” was a favorite saying of his along with “put your nose to the grindstone.”
Robert will be sorely missed by his family. He somehow made everyone feel like they were the favorite. A great reunion is going on in heaven right now as Robert was preceded in death by his parents, older brother, Harold, and younger sister, Doris (Stauffer).
Robert is survived by his wife, Janice, and their 5 children, Tamra (Robert) Nelson, August (Tamara) Lehman, Michael (Sheri) Lehman, Nicole (Alan) Parks, and Rebekah (Jared) Fasteson. They are also blessed with 35 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren who lovingly call him Popeye!
Utah funeral
A funeral service will be held November 5, 2022 at the Homestead/South Cottonwood chapel 5605 S Vine St, Salt Lake City, UT 84107. A viewing will be from 10-10:50am followed by a funeral service from 11-12pm. The service will also be live streamed on Facebook. Fifteen minutes before the service, log into your Facebook account and search Spring Creek Mortuary.
Rhode Island funeral
A funeral service will be held November 12, 2022 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1000 Narraganset Pkwy, Warwick, RI at 11:00am. Time TBD
To leave condolences, visit www.legacyfunerals.com
