Scott was born on September 3, 1940, to Wesley “Cal” and Barbara (Witherspoon) Lehman of Seatonville, Illinois.
Scott is survived by his daughter Mary Lehman of Scottsdale, Arizona; he is preceded in death by his parents; mother of his children, Louise Picco-Branney (Phoenix, Arizona); daughter Christine Lehman-Miller (Phoenix, Arizona); and brothers-in-law Andrew and John Picco. He will be missed by his family, including his sisters-in-law, Bernadette Picco (Fort Wayne, Indiana) and Cindy Picco (Middlebury, Indiana), as well as his many nephews and nieces who forever remember him as “Uncle Scott.”
Mr. Lehman is a graduate of Hall Township High and Vocational School Class of 1959 in Spring Valley, Illinois. “Scotty” wore number 19 as a Linemen/Guard for the “Red Devils.” He played on the 1958 Division Champion Red Devils Southwest Division grid crown of the North Central Illinois Conference. “Scotty” also played basketball holding jersey number 24. Scott was a member of the Hall High Letterman’s Club.
Scott had a long career with the Iron Workers Local Union #444; Mr. Lehman took pride in his identification: book #768740. He earned a 50-year milestone achievement and was presented with a service pin from his Local Union #444. A foreman on most of his projects, Scott loved climbing the high beams with his steel-toed boots—without safety nets—referring to it as “walking the beam.” His fellow beam walkers loved to tease, calling him “Sylvia” due to his thick, wavy hair that had silvered at such a young age. Scott could often be heard instructing his crew during breaks to “eat up fast, boys, and get back to work!” Perhaps his insistence on a quick lunch helped solidify his nickname, as the boys secretly inscribed his black metal lunchbox with white letters reading: Sylvia. His daughters caught on, too, and loved teasing their dad with the moniker and getting many giggles because of it.
Scott enjoyed riding and competing on his prized Husqvarna motorcycle. He competed in countless motocross competitions, so many so that his daughters could share their weekend travels and adventures during their classes’ show and tell. He was an award-winning rider and was once crowned Midwest champion.
Scott eventually hung up his steel-toed boots and competitive motocross competitions for a successful career in the pool and patio business, becoming co-owner of S&L Pool & Patio Furniture. Putting his mechanical inclinations to use, Scott designed award-winning custom pools for Fox Pool Designs. After many years in the business, Mr. Lehman retired to LaSalle, Illinois kicking back and enjoying riding his bicycle around “The Big Easy of the Midwest.”
Mr. Lehman moved to Arizona in 2016, allowing his youngest daughter Mary to spoil him with tons of TLC as they shared suds, ice cream cones, and matinees. Despite living in the Midwest most of his life, Scott quickly learned to enjoy the hot climate, knowing he would never have to “shovel the sunshine.”
His daughters always knew they had a cool Dad; a Dad, who walked the high beam, had a nickname Sylvia, rode competitive motorcycles, and built out of this world pools. Growing up Scott’s girls had many neat memories of their Dad. One fond memory his girls recall is one Christmas when Scott was like a kid in a candy store, pulling twin-wrapped gifts from behind the couch saying, “Girls I have gigantic all-day suckers for you two!” Turns out they were wrapped tennis rackets. At times it was like having a big brother for two girls who never had a brother!
Dad,
You can now get back to relaxing on your Golden Cloud watching your black and white Westerns, eating tons of popcorn with a bucket of suds. Rest in peace Dad, ‘til we meet again.
Love you to the moon and back,
Mary (your little Hilljack)
Scott’s daughter Mary would like to thank, with much gratitude, Charles “Charlie” & “in remembrance” Joanne Taliani of Spring Valley, Illinois for their TLC when my Dad needed extra support, the entire staff at Paseo Village and his hospice team at Americare Hospice and Palliative Care.
Scott's inurnment will take place at Hansen Mortuaries Desert Hills Memorial Park’s (Ossuary) in Phoenix, Arizona at a future, to-be-determined date.
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