Robert C. Lehman

WEST BOYLSTON - Robert C. Lehman passed away peacefully at his home on the evening of June 22, 2024 surrounded by his family. Bob was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Marguerite (Cook) Lehman; his stepmother, Anne (Anderson) Lehman; and by his sister, Gail (Lehman) Springfield, and her husband, Albert. He is survived by his loving wife, Katherine (Traynor), of 50 years; daughter, Emily Lehman Miller, and her husband, Brian, of West Boylston; and his son, Edward, and his wife, Cody (DeSouza), of Hopkinton. Bob was known as “GG” to his three handsome, clever and energetic grandsons, Charlie, Ian and Wren, whom he adored. He also leaves behind his sisters, Carol (Lehman) Fleming, and her husband, Jim, of Rhode Island; and Darleen Lehman and her partner, David Coffey, of West Boylston, along with his many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. 

Bob was born, raised and lived on the same parcel of farmland in West Boylston his entire life. A graduate of Major Edwards Elementary School and West Boylston High School, he later gave back to his community through his service on the Conservation Commission and Planning Board. His many years spent walking the fields and woods of West Boylston deeply impacted the man he became and how he operated in the larger world. 

After earning a bachelor’s degree in Natural Science from UMass Amherst, Bob spent the bulk of his working life in the construction and property management fields. At heart, however, he was a carpenter and enjoyed the process of designing and creating things from scratch. This, combined with his deep love of and respect for the natural world and science, led Bob to spend half a century of his life shaping his family's land with his wife, Kathy, at his side. 

Bob also enjoyed traveling and particularly loved the natural beauty of coastal Maine. He spent many happy hours trolling the shoreline with his loved ones from Ogunquit to Port Clyde to McGee Island. Above all Bob was deeply committed to his family and home. His favorite pastime was simply sitting on the screened-in porch of the house that he built, with the people and animals he loved, watching the bluebirds fly, the ginkgo leaves blow, the moon rise, and listening to the rain fall. 

The family wishes to thank everyone who has offered support through Bob’s years long battle with Parkison’s disease with particular love and appreciation to the staff of Central Mass VNA and Hospice who made it possible to keep Bob at home; the Reliant caregivers support group; and all of our family and friends who have gone above and beyond.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Bob’s family at his beloved home, at 147 Malden Street, West Boylston, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, July 14th, for a memorial service in his honor. In Lieu of Flowers, please consider a donation to The Michael J. Fox Foundation via this link: https://give.michaeljfox.org/give/421686/#!/donation/checkout