Obituary
Otto Lehrman
Otto Lehrman, 96, was born in Kansas to Henry and Justina Lehrman. Otto was the second youngest child of six siblings. He attended school until the eighth grade at which time his strength and labor were needed on the family farm. Despite having never left the state of Kansas, at age 17, Otto requested his father sign the required documents to join the United States Navy to serve in WWII alongside his two brothers. He was sent by train over three days and three nights to San Diego, California, for ten weeks of bootcamp. In 1945, he was placed on the USS Blue DD, a destroyer, joining seven other ships in the Pacific Ocean primarily focused on seeking invader submarines in Guam, Saipan, Manila, The Mariana Islands, Taiwan, and Shanghai, China. He recalled a span of 39 days straight cruising where he never saw land. His job as Shipfitter (carpenters’ mate) included maintaining the ship, fixing anything broken, and even welding. Upon anchor he served as a guard at many supply depot ports. During general quarters (combat) he was a gunner. After 13-months he returned to San Francisco,
California’s Treasure Island, excited to see the United States of America; however, his time home was short-lived as he was immediately placed on the USS St. Paul CA 73, a cruiser. His stationing spanned three years until the end of WWII.
Soon after his return, his life was forever changed at Newton’s Candy Corner where he met the love of his life Phyllis. Otto
married Phyllis (Havens) Lehrman on May 29, 1949. Otto and Phyllis raised their four sons in Newton, Kansas, where Otto coached
little league baseball and was an active bowler.
He started his career at the Santa Fe Railroad where he began as a floor sweep and worked up to Superintendent of the Rail Mill at the time of his retirement. In addition to working for the railroad he also painted houses, drove taxi, and worked for a local
electrician. Otto was an active member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles where he served as President in the mid-60s.
Otto and Phyllis would often take their young family camping in Colorado. Later they fell in love with a place called Tanglewood Acres near Westcliffe. They were fortunate to purchase a small plot of land in Tanglewood and in 1984. He and Phyllis retired to
the cabin they built there. They lived on the mountain independently for the last 40 years, meeting eternal life in a home they perfectly and masterfully crafted.
After building his home, he continued to enjoy carpentry and crafted innumerable fine wood projects for his boys, and later his grandchildren. He served as a resource to many other Tanglewood Acres residents, fulfilling various projects and even constructing a covered bridge over a small creek entering the community, but one of his favorite projects was riding his tractor to plow the road in spring, summer, and winter or driving his Scout through high alpine dirt roads.
Otto and Phyllis enjoyed traveling and shared fond memories of those who visited them as camp hosts in Yellowstone, snowbirds along the California
coast and in their later years Laughlin, Nevada. Many of their children and grandchildren were fortunate enough to travel
with them creating numerous memories.
Most of all, Otto loved spending time in the mountains fishing, hiking, and hunting with his sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He logged over 1,600 miles of hiking to the Colorado high-mountain lakes, making his last trip when he was 83. Many memories were made in the early morning hours of a quiet hike and the late afternoon rainstorms that often struck as he was hiking back down the mountain after a day of fishing. He even had a special affinity for catching chipmunks and outsmarting a squirrel on the birdfeeder, memories that all of the family shares.
Although he was at times formidable, his humor was infectious, and his stories were enthralling. Perhaps the two most important lessons he taught any of us was through hard work and dedication you can fix just about anything and more importantly, that loving and cherishing family comes first, an example that will carry forward for generations to come. He was a hard worker, loving husband and a devoted family man. He was the most intelligent person any of us have ever known.
Otto was greeted in eternity by his Lord and Savior on May 1, 2024. We are sure that holding his hand was his wife, Phyllis of 74 years; son, Dean; parents, Heinrich and Justina; brothers and sisters, Rubie, Carl, Ralph, Sara, Walter and Kathleen; and other close family and friends who preceded him. We are assured it was a joyous, heavenly reunion although, our earthly hearts ache. Otto is remembered by his daughter-in law, Vicki; sons, Robin (Susan), Gary (Marsha), Kevin (Irene); grandchildren, Jeremy Lehrman, Sara Lehrman, Jody Schmidt (Craig), Jamie Giles (Ryan), Julie Robinson, Justin Lehrman (Tara), Maggie Lehrman, Erin Rosfeld (Kerry), and Luke Lehrman (Jenna), 23 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grand-child. His presence will be missed by many other friends who he considered family.
A private service will be held in Colorado and Kansas at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent in his memory to Tanglewood Acres at 4624 NW 161st Edmond, OK 73013.
