Richard K. Lehne

Dr. Richard Karl Lehne Sr. passed away on April 24th, 2015, in serenity, after a heroic, seven month, effort to overcome a severe stroke. He enjoyed his last three months at home where his family and friends continued to be a loving part of his life.

A long, well-lived life of 94 years began in 1920 in Newark, New Jersey, as the son of recent immigrants from Germany. Rich grew up in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, where he attended the now historical one room schoolhouse, The Bell School. Rich graduated Magna Cum Laude from Muhlenberg College, in chemistry, class of ’41.

He became the devoted husband of Mary Kelly in 1945. After serving in WWII, as a German translator and interpreter with Military Intelligence, the couple moved to Connecticut to start their family as Rich received his PhD, in chemistry, at Yale.

Together, Rich and Mary, raised a family who will long remember his gentle, honorable life: Richard Jr. and his wife, Susan, of San Francisco, CA; Bill of Brooklyn, NY; Fredric and his wife, Ginger, of New Providence, NJ; his daughter, Lisa, of Northfield, NJ and his seven grandchildren, Chanise, Abraham, Liam, Kat, Bret, Kurt, and Jake. Along with his sisters, Iris Watts and Ivy Lusskin, and their families, Rich has a long list of friends who love and will miss him.

Wherever Rich and Mary lived: New Jersey, Syracuse and Florida; they were very active in Community Theater, acting and directing in many plays and performances. They were beautiful ballroom dancers, played bridge, and were involved in volunteer work. They loved to travel… and boy, did they travel. Rich and Mary experienced well over 20 countries, collecting lifelong memories and artifacts.

Rich’s career was long and fruitful, entering the field of cosmetic chemistry with Wildroot Cream Oil. He went on to become the director of research for Colgate-Palmolive and Mennen, and joined American Cyanamid as international research director for Breck Shampoo and other household products. If your hair or face felt fresh and clean sometime in the last 70 years, Rich is the man to thank. Rich retired, in 1982, as Director of Quality Control at Church and Dwight (Arm and Hammer baking soda).

In retirement, Rich and Mary joined the International Executive Service Corps (IESC), a US agency that connects retired professionals with industry leaders in developing nations. They served a year in Chile, where Rich developed a shoe polish and Mary volunteered at the local hospital. Rich continued with IESC, in Thailand, developing a highly successful hand lotion. IESC asked him to stay in-country for the next 6 years, as Director of Operations, seeking out and connecting other IESC members with companies throughout Thailand. Their grandchildren, born mostly during that time, fondly call them by the Thai honorifics “Khun-Tah” and “Khun-Yii”: Grandfather and Grandmother.

Khun-Tah and Khun-Yii returned to America in 1989, eventually settling into the Four Seasons Condominium in Northfield, New Jersey, where they enjoyed a rich social life surrounded by friends and family. After losing his beloved Mary, in 2008, Rich remained active and independent; volunteering, teaching exercise classes, and hosting New Year’s Eve parties.

A memorial service will be held this summer.

Thos L. Shinn Funeral Home, 10 Hilliard Dr. Manahawkin, NJ was entrusted with the arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.shinnfuneralhome.com