Richard Russell Lehman II

Russ was born October 29, 1941, in Rochester, Pennsylvania to Richard R. Lehman I and Eleanor Lehman (née Bittner). He grew up in Monaca, Pennsylvania alongside his two sisters and brother. At a young age, Russ learned to love the game of golf, and his first job was as a caddy.

After graduating from Aliquippa High School in 1959, Russ went to Philadelphia to attend Drexel Institute of Technology and earned a degree in business in 1963. Three years later he married Judith Hanna on December 3, 1966 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. They later welcomed a daughter, Anne, and Russ and Judy valued time spent with their family. The Lehman family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina in 1987 and quickly acclimated to their new community developing great friendships with their Aspen Court neighbors where they lived for 37 years.

Russ spent his professional life in chemical sales, ending his long career as director of CHIPCO Business, which provided pest control products for golf courses at Rhône-Poulenc. In retirement Russ continued working at Raleigh Country Club, caring for the greens and staying connected to the game he loved. He also served his country as a member of the Army National Guard.

Often seen as a quiet guy, he made some exceptions to that personality trait. He could be found on Christmas Eve reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to his grandchildren and cheering them on at their sporting events. During the time his grandchildren lived in the United Kingdom, he would often visit to see them perform in childhood shows and he loved going to the Christmas fair in their town.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, his parents and brother-in-law Roger Skinner. He’s survived by his daughter Anne L. Mehr and her husband Amir S. Mehr of Raleigh, North Carolina; grandchildren Matthew C. Mehr, Madelyn H. Mehr and Harrison T. Mehr; and siblings Gretchen Skinner of Parkland, Florida, John Lehman of Monaca, Pennsylvania and Beth (James) Holimon of Sapphire, North Carolina.

A service will be held Friday, June 26 at 1 p.m. at St. Philip Lutheran Church at 7304 Falls of Neuse Rd. in Raleigh. For those who wish to donate in memory of Russ, the family encourages gifts to St. Philip Church or alternatively the Wounded Warrior Project.