Freeman R. "Pete" Lehman

Freeman R. (Pete) Lehman died Friday, February 18, 2022 in Grand Rapids (Rockford), Michigan.& He was born February 5, 1926 in Fort Wayne, Indiana the son of Rufus and Aldina (Frankhauser) Lehman.

During his High School days, he was given the nickname Pete which stayed with him throughout his life. He served in the United States Air Force during World War Two. After discharge from the United States Air Force he worked with his father in the construction industry mastering the masonry and plastering trades. He practiced these trades while attending Indiana and Michigan State Universities. Immediately after graduating from Michigan State University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, he joined The Dow Chemical Company as an Analytical Chemist.

Two years after moving to Midland, Michigan he married his college sweetheart Gloria A. Gooch in Buffalo, New York on August 9, 1952.

Pete worked for The Dow Chemical Company for over forty years. He served the company in Midland, Michigan; London, England; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Anchorage, Alaska. Pete held positions in Research and Development, Sales, Business Management, and Manufacturing. He retired as a Vice President of Dow U.S.A. and General Manager of Michigan Operations.

Pete served on the board of directors of Chemical Bank and Trust Company in Midland, Michigan; Dolco Packaging Corporation in Los Angeles, California; Wolohan Lumber Company in Saginaw, Michigan; and Dendritech in Midland, Michigan. He was a member of the American Chemical Society, National Paint and Coatings Association, and severed on the board of directors and the executive committee of the Society of Plastics Industry.

He was active in civic organizations serving on the boards of the Midland Community Center (Operations), United Way of Midland, Midland Jaycees, Midland County Growth and Development Council, and the Michigan Manufacturing Association. He was appointed by Governor James Blanchard as a member of the Council on Environmental Quality for the State of Michigan. Pete is a past chairman of the City of Midland Parks and Recreation Commission and was on the corporate board of MidMichigan Health Center. He was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Midland, Michigan and the Midland Rotary Club. Rotary International named him as a Paul Harris Fellow.

Pete thoroughly enjoyed working with and being associated with many wonderful people throughout his career at Dow. The Dow Chemical Company gave Pete and his family many wonderful experiences with the opportunity to live in different locations. Most importantly, he always considered Midland, Michigan his home. It is a great community.

Pete's recreational activities included fishing, skiing and spending time at their summer home on Grand Traverse Bay near Traverse City, Michigan. In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening and home maintenance projects. After retirement he had fun traveling with his beloved wife of 68 years.

Pete is survived by his son Jack Lehman and wife Margie of Michigan, granddaughters, Sarah (Lehman) and husband David Sawall of Wisconsin, and Darcy Lehman of New York; daughter Lori (Lehman) Kardos and grandson Ryan Freeman Albert Kardos of Texas; nieces and nephews Rita (Liberson) Feder of Florida, Marcia Liberson and husband Herb Solomon of California, Tim George and wife Leimomi of Indiana, and David Rosenberger and wife Dawn of Arizona, Bill Rosenberger and Jim Rosenberger both of Washington. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Gloria Lehman; his parents Rufus and Aldina (Frankhauser) Lehman; daughter's husband Russell J. Kardos; sisters Dorothy Rosenberger, Violet George, MaryAnn Liberson, and Esther Lehman and brother Chester Lehman.

A funeral service for Mr. Lehman will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday February 23, 2022 from First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jung Eun Yum officiating. Interment will follow in Midland City Cemetery. Family will receive guests at the church on Wednesday from 12:30 until the time of service. Memorial donations towards First United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, MidMichigan Medical Center, or charity of choice are appreciated. Arrangements are under the care of Wilson MILLER Funeral Home.

First United Methodist Church
315 W. Larkin St., Midland MI 48640
Tel: 1-989-835-6797
Web: https://fumcmidweb.org/donate/

MidMichigan Medical Center
4000 Wellness Dr, Midland MI 48640
Web: http://midmichigan.org

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