Message from Susan (Gilmore) Sheesley

My deepest sympathy to the family of our "beloved bus driver"-Mr. Lehman. 103 years-that's amazing!
My first memory of Mr. Lehman was as a young kindergarten student. I was very worried about going to school and riding the bus for the first time. His welcoming smile and kind words made me feel at ease that first day. I was sure he would be my bus driver FOREVER.
I also remember being SO disappointed when I lined up to get on the bus for first grade and realized that Mr. Lehman wasn't in the driver seat.
Although he wasn't my regular driver throughout all my years at Westmont Hilltop, there were times that he filled in for our driver and sometimes he was our driver for a field trip or two. Those days were considered a "treat" for those of us who weren't passengers on his regular route. Having Mr. Lehman as your driver made your day extra special.
He was a very special man who was loved by so many people. Those of us who were fortunate enough to have known him were truly blessed.
Praying for comfort and strength for the family during the loss of such a wonderful man.

Message from Patricia (Fogel) Ankney

My sincere condolences to Mr. Lehman's family.
When I was in kindergarten at the Westmont Tioga Street School in the early 1960's, Mr. Lehman was my bus driver. Oh, but he was so much more than that! The kindest gentleman. Always smiling. Greeted us with gentle words and encouragement, everyday. We knew he really cared for the children. He took pride in his meticulous bus. Sometimes he allowed me to sit along side him on his tool box/first aid kit. He took my class to his farm where we met Mrs. Lehman. We were treated to ice cream. Every child should know a man like Owen Lehman. The world would be a much better place.

Message from John Custer

Mr. Lehman was a wonderful man and loved by all who knew him. My sympathy to his family.

He was my bus driver, my sister's bus driver, my wife's bus driver, and my daughter's bus driver. This spanned 30 years! After all these years, people who knew him remember him with the same affection.

Interestingly, I was at Laurel View Village the other day visiting my Dad and ran into a high school classmate of mine (Westmont '65). He asked me if I knew Mr. Lehman and had seen that he passed away. I said that I did.

My friend proudly proceeded to tell me that he had Mr. Lehman's autograph. How many bus drivers can say they had fans like that? Mr. Lehman, that's who!

John Custer

Message from Lana custer

I will always be grateful that Mr. Lehman was the bus driver for my children for so many years. He always looked out for them. I knew they were in good hands with him at the wheel. Mr. Lehman also drove the bus when I was a leader in taking the high school kids to Hidden Valley to ski. Everyone adored and respected him. You always knew he was a good man. God speed to him. Lana custer

Message from Richard Glosser

What a fabulous man and life. If you haven't had a chance, check out all the wonderful comments on the Westmont Hilltop Alummi Association FaceBook site.

Message from Scot Hartnett WHHS class of '73'

Our graduating class of '73' dedicated the yearbook, "The Phoenician" to Mr. Lehman.
What a great guy! He greeted his passengers each morning with a smile and was a father figure who didn't put up with any nonsense on his bus. Each year he took 1st grade students on a field trip to his dairy farm which was his primary 'job'. Mr. Lehman was loved by all and obviously had a positive impact on many young people throughout his second career as evidenced by the yearbook dedication.
I had the pleasure of seeing him about 7-8 years ago while he and his lovely wife were having breakfast at a diner. I'd told my wife about Mr. Lehman many times and when I saw him, I said "There's Mr. Lehman!" There was no mistaking him, even though I hadn't seen him for well over 40 years. After they finished eating I introduced myself as one of his passengers and he seemed to be so thrilled to be remembered after all these years. Mr. Lehman remains a legend to this day and beyond for those Hilltoppers fortunate enough to ride his bus to and from school each day.
He lived a very hard working, admirable and humble life. The world would be a much better place if there were more Mr. Lehman's. May he rest in eternal peace. He certainly has earned it.

Message from Patty Silverman Rosson

My deepest condolences to the entire family on the loss of this wonderful man. His impact on so many was deep and lasting. The many many posts are just a few of the lives he touched. May his memory be a blessing. There are many people whose names I've forgotten, but not this man who drive me to school . . . Snow, Ice, rain, sleet. Always.

Message from Phyllis Towzey

I was one of the hundreds - maybe thousands - of kids who were privileged to ride on Mr. Lehman' bus. He was a wonderful and kind man who will always be remembered with love.

I remember one winter day standing at the bus stop in the middle of a snowstorm, shivering and waiting for the bus that had broken down and never showed up. Finally we saw a bus coming toward it but realized by the number that it was not our bus and expected it to go on right past us, as several others had already done. But this bus stopped the door opened and it was Mr. Lehman behind the wheel. Climb on and will try to fit you in, he said – I can't believe you all out here in the cold. We climbed in and we all fit and we had never been so happy to see anyone as we were to see Mr. Lehman behind the wheel when he opened the door.

My mother was an elementary school teacher in Westmont, and she had many stories to tell about Mr. Lehman's kindness. There was never any trouble on his bus, because he knew everyone by name, and everyone respected him.

I was so glad to learn that he lived such a long and happy life. God bless you, Mr. Lehman.

A candle was lit by Mike swab on April 10, 2017 9:06 PM

Message from Marilyn (Kocher) Mills

Mr. Lehman was so much more to us than a bus driver! What a wonderful, caring, kind soul who touched more lives than can be counted. It is wonderful that he was able to bring so much good to this world for so many years. Condolences to the family. You are blessed with his legacy.

Message from Nancy Finney Legath

Mr Lehman was my bus driver all through school. So kind! Loved going to his farm and playing with the kittens. He was loved and respected by my parents Pastor and Betty Lou Finney as well. He always invited our church groups to the farm too! Lucky to have known such a great man! My deepest sympathies on your loss.

Message from Lou Rabinowitz

What a wonderful, kind, and gentle man. As young children we were certainly blessed to have Mr. Lehman in our lives. Even as a very young boy I recognized how much he genuinely enjoyed being with us as we were with him. I'm 65 now and have met quite a few folks in my life including celebrities, famous athletes, and government leaders. None have had more of an impression nor positive influence than Mr. Lehman. He had as much influence on our early development in that yellow bus as our teachers had in the classroom. To this day, one of the biggest disappointments I've endured was missing the field trip to Mr. Lehman' farm due to an illness. Rest In Peace, sir.

Message from Larry and AnnaMarie Millinder

We are so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. We were always impressed with him at the soupers. He was a fine man and it was a pleasure to know him.

Expression of Sympathy

An Arrive In Style was ordered on April 10, 2017

Expression of Sympathy

A Dish Garden was sent on April 10, 2017

Our love to you, from Rick and Janet, Jayni and Gary, Jeff and Cindy, Bill and Esther and all the nieces and nephews.

Message from Roger Pavlik

Mr Lehman was my favorite bus driver and I thought about him many times as an adult when I would be waiting for a school bus stop. I, by accident saw him last summer at Eat-N-Park and I was thrilled to see him and chat. I even asked his son to take a picture of us with my phone, which I still have. I am saddened but we all must leave this life in hope of The Resurrection. May God keep him safe! Eternal Memory!

Message from Rick Blucas

I remember Owen and Mable fondly. . . . they were always good to me when I visited.He is at rest now. . . . . A true Christian.

Message from Susan Kocher Thomas

Mr. Lehman was truly one of my most trusted friends as a child on his school bus. He would drive around the circle where we lived to pick us up when the weather was bad or if we were running late. I will never forget his smiling face and the warmth and comfort I always felt from him. I was lucky to get him back as my bus driver in high school. My sisters and I remember our trips to his farm with great fondness and wonder. Sincerest condolences to your entire family. Please know how many lives and hearts he touched over the years. He was much more than a bus driver to all of us--he was our very special friend.

Message from Mark & Debbie(Hendricks) Buckner

To Tim and everyone - We are so sad to hear about Uncle Owen. He was an exceptional man. Someone we should all try to imitate. I remember so well all the times we came to the farm & played with the cows, chickens & cats! We love you all and you are in our thoughts & prayer.
Debbie & Mark

Message from Walt & Cathy Brown & family

Floyd and family,
Our sincere condolences to you and your family at the passing of your father. My wife and children recognized him right away from the death notice in the Trib. "Mr. Lehman" was the ARNOLD PALMER of school bus drivers ! The bus stop was only 2 doors away from our house and every morning as he drove by he had wave and a smile for my wife as she watched our little ones load on the bus. Sometimes if the weather was really bad or they were just a tad late getting out the door he would stop right at our door and then continue to the stop. A "Special Man" who made others around him feel special
Thanks, Mr. Lehman !

Message from Elizabeth (Betty J) Weimer

I was a student in the Westmont Hilltop school district from grades 1 through 12. Over the span of those years i was often blessed to be riding on Mr. Lehman's bus 30. He always had a smile, knew most (if not all) of our names, greeted us with his soft-spoken , gentle voice. He ran a tight ship, however, in order to safely transport his charges from their homes to school and back again. Everyone respected him and was elated when he was their bus driver. Many years later I was sending my only child to kindergarten; if you have kids you know the trauma of that day!! The bus picked him up right at the end of our driveway in Southmont. When that bus door opened I couldn't believe my eyes. Mr. Lehman was driving my precious child to kindergarten! That was 44 years ago and I still think of Mr. Lehman fondly; in fact he was on my mind just last week. One of my lifelong friends, who was also a passenger on bus 30, sent me this article yesterday. What a wonderful life this man lived; his gently spirit touched more lives than anyone would imagine. May he rest in peace.

Message from Betsy Pudliner

Best bus driver we ever had at Westmont and such a treat to visit his farm in my youth. Still remember it to this day and seeing all the cows. Kind, caring and compassionate. Not many like Mr. Lehman.

Message from Karen Sroka

Dear Phyllis, Floyd and Tim:

You have been so blessed to have your dad with you for so many years, and yet I am sure is absence will leave a tremendous in your lives.

Your dad was my bus driver from kindergarten through 6th grade. I cherished his warm greeting at the beginning and end of each day. I remember him better than my teachers and he made a much bigger impression in my young life.

He was kind and warm and always smiling, yet could be firm with the one rascal on the bus. He would let me operate the door handle to the bus, before safety rule put a stop to that. It was my greatest privilege.

I remember a trip to his farm to see the animals and eggs waiting to hatch. Some most likely laid by the Easter chicks we donated to him when they got to big for our homes.

Now he is with the Lord for this coming Easter and I am sure heaven is a brighter place with him there. He was a true angel on earth! My sympathies to you and your families.

Message from Jeanne Livingston Lambert

Mr Lehman was a profound and lasting influence of kindness beyond measure. He was my school bus driver and that is how I knew him. I am 70 years old and just a few weeks ago his name came up in conversation. He was quiet and firm and kind at the same time; something I have never mastered. I rode his bus 5 years in grade school and all these years later I remember him so keenly and so fondly. What a man and what a legacy. He was a blessing to my life.

Message from Martha Helmuth

Sending condolences from Indiana, but wishing I could be there in person. Owen (and Mable) were important people in my early years, and they both left their mark in the lives of many others as well. Deepest sympathy to Phyllis and Art, Floyd, Chris and family, and Tim and Rosie. Owen will certainly be missed, but he lived a rich, full life. ~Martha Helmuth

Message from Merlin & Deb Cable

Sending love and prayers during your time of sorrow. Always appreciated Owens and Mabel's friendly spirit!

Message from Dorcas Spory Friedline

So sorry to hear of Owen's death, Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the family.

Expression of Sympathy

A Beauitful in Blue was ordered on April 9, 2017

Message from Peter Vizza & Family

Dear Lehman Family---Please know that you have the heartfelt sympathy of the Merle and Teresa Vizza family at this most difficult time. Your father and mother were wonderful people whom we got to know when we would visit their farm. My three brothers and I always looked forward to the visits. Stay strong. Peter Vizza & Family.

A candle was lit by Pam Mayer on April 9, 2017 4:46 PM

Message from Pamela Mayer

Mr. Lehman was my school bus driver for years. He took all his students out to the farm and we collected eggs and he showed us how he candled eggs.
He was a kind, gentle man, but there was never any problem on his bus. For awhile, I actually thought he might be Santa Claus.
It took a long time for me to realize he was the exception, not the rule. When I would see him when I was an adult, he would remember me. I had so much respect for him and his values. What a beautiful life he lived. My sincere sympathies to his family and friends, but we have all been made better because of this gracious man.

A candle was lit by Barbara (Nesbitt) Sivi on April 9, 2017 3:01 PM

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As soon as I saw the picture of Mr. Lehman, I knew exactly who he was, the gentle kind man that took me to school every day and brought me safely home again. The world became a better place the day he was born. I always thought he was so nice and his obituary confirmed my thoughts. He was such a great example to many children. I have often thought about him and now my thoughts and prayers are with his family. He is at peace now, so you can all be at peace too. Sincerely, Barbara

Message from Lillian M Bunker

Uncle Owen and Aunt Mable were the kindest, most thoughtful and Godly couple...i'm saddened to learn of his death but happy they are reunited once again in Heaven. I will always appreciate how wonderful they were to my parents (my dad, Owen's younger brother Richard and my mom, Ethel) during the last years of their lives...taking my mom to visit my dad in the Nursing Home most every Sunday after church and many times treating her to dinner and then continuing to be an important and caring part of mom's life after dad passed. My thoughts and prayers are with my cousins Phyllis, Floyd and Tim and their families as they celebrate the 103 years of this amazing gentleman. Sending much love to all and wishing i could be there with you.

Message from Rick Saylor & Janet Maxwell

Owen was a true saint, embodying the Spirit of Christian faith in the way he lived his life, the way he talked with others and his gentle caring way of relating to all people. We are grateful his life intersected with ours.

Our heartfelt prayers are with all the Lehman family at this time. Peace.