Robert Julius Lehman

1939 - 2022

Bob was born in Onoway, the second child of Joe and Kay Lehman, younger brother to Evelyn. His early years were spent in Onoway, where his father had a blacksmith shop. He was active in hockey and ball as a young man, and later coached hockey. His family moved to the farm when Bob was seven or eight years old, where his farming life began. After taking over the family farm, Bob concentrated on raising purebred Herefords. Bob was a humble rancher who never forgot his roots. Even after selling his ranch, Bob kept three acres near the original location, for storage and a garden.

Bob married his wife Gael in 1985 and they built a lakeside home at Val Quentin in 1992. Bob continued to farm until 1999, when the farm sold and they moved to the lake.

Retirement provided the opportunity to travel throughout Canada and the US and go on numerous cruises and exotic vacations, many of which were with Bob’s son Keith, sailing in the Caribbean. Many of the later winters were spent in Yuma, where they had many good friends.

Throughout his life, Bob placed great importance on serving his community. In addition to coaching hockey teams, Bob was very active in local politics, having served as a county councilor, a school board member, as well as mayor of Val Quentin for 13 years.

“He was one of the finest individuals I’ve ever known or worked with,” said Val Quentin mayor, Roger Montpellier, who was Bob’s friend and neighbor for 28 years, and fellow councilor for 13 years.

Bob passed away peacefully on August 8, 2022. He was predeceased by his parents, Julius and Katherine, his former wife Bev, his sons Keith and Greg, and sister-in-law, Lorraine. He is survived by his loving wife, Gael, his sister Evelyn Scheideman, and numerous nieces and nephews.