Reinhard "Randy" Elmer Lehman Jr.

Reinhard E. Lehman Jr.,(Randy) age 68 of Chicago, IL, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 26, 2024 at his home. 

Randy is preceded in death by his father, Reinhard Sr., mother, Geraldine (née Leslie), sister, Susan Ogawa, and grand nieces and nephews, Samantha, Cassidy, and Ryder. 
Randy is survived by his siblings David (Leslye), Douglas, and Leslie, brother-in-law, Larry Ogawa, nieces and nephews Chad, Derrick, Lindsey (Tony), Melissa (Justin), Nicholas (Kristen), and Jennifer, as well as four grand nieces and nephews Clay, Weston, Ellie, and Ava. 

Randy was born at the Clintonville Community Hospital and lived on the Lehman family farm just south of Marion for a few years until they moved to his childhood home on Garfield Avenue in Marion. When Randy was ten the family moved to Chicago, IL where he spent the rest of his life. After studying printing in high school, he began his career working in the sign bureau for Marshall Fields department store. It was during this time that he pursued his dream of being a firefighter by first joining the United States Air Force Reserves and then becoming a volunteer firefighter with Civil Defense operating as part of the Chicago Fire Department. He finished out his career working in Information Technology for various consulting companies. 
In 1976, when Randy joined the United States Air Force Reserves, he was initially stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas for his basic training. Once complete, he was sent to Chanute Air Force Base in Central Illinois. Here he attended the U.S. Air Force School of Applied Aerospace Sciences and Air Force Firefighting Academy School. He served out the remainder of his time as a fireman/crash rescue firefighter with the Air Force’s Fire Department stationed at Chicago’s O'Hare Air Reserve Station until he left the reserves in 1982. 

Randy took immense pride in the service he gave to our country. In 2022, Randy was a special guest at Prairie Lane Elementary’s annual Veterans Day assembly. He shared that he had never experienced such a beautiful honor. He eagerly anticipated the ceremony each year. 

After his years of service and throughout retirement, Randy invested time in both hobbies and those he loved. While Randy was an avid collector of many things, his passion was in model railroading. He would routinely go on the hunt to hobby shops and train shows as far away as western Pennsylvania, looking for that one piece needed to complete a set. This passion transferred over to the real thing, never missing an opportunity to visit railroad museums or riding on an excursion.

Later in life, Randy’s most memorable days were those spent with siblings and his great nieces and nephews. Road trips across several states to visit museums, hobby shops, and experience new train shows built lasting memories and were highlights of his most recent years. Randy never missed an opportunity to enjoy the time with and spoil his late great niece Samantha, including trips to Disney World and watching movies late into the night. 
Backyard BBQs at Melissa and Justin’s over summer holidays were always highlights for Randy. Clay, Weston, and Ellie laugh that he always brought way too much corn, the largest watermelon he could find, loved his diet soda, and never turned down the pre-meal snacks. Always curious about how sports and school were going, Uncle Randy stopped to listen and often had a story or two of his own to share. He never missed a birthday, always sending a meaningful card with two single dollars that was sure to be followed by presents he carefully selected. It was important to him that he hand deliver his gifts so that he could savor the children’s joy. The absence of his presence, thoughtfulness, and especially his forwarded YouTube videos for the kids to watch will certainly leave a void. 

Funeral services will be held 10 AM on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at the Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home, Marion, with the Rev. Diana Ziegler officiating. Interment will take place following the service at Roseland Cemetery, Town of Dupont, with military honors being conducted by the William Bertram American Legion Post #198, Marion.

Visitation will take place at the funeral home in Marion on Friday August 30, 2024 from 4-7 PM, and again on Saturday from 9 AM until the time of service.

An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.