Lehman, Esther K. (1924-2009)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2009 Feb 9 p. 12

Birth date: 1924

text of obituary:

Longtime EMU education prof dies

By Eastern Mennonite University staff

HARRISONBURG, Va. — Esther K. Lehman, professor emerita of education at Eastern Mennonite University, died Jan. 30 at the age of 85.

Lehman had been a resident of Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community for six years.

Lehman joined the EMU faculty in 1951 and retired in 1982. She was a reading and language arts specialist in the education department.

Lehman worked at the Teacher Training College in Serowe, Botswana, through Mennonite Central Committee from 1982 to 1985. She developed professional courses in methods of teaching reading at the lower levels and supervised field experiences for student teachers as part of her assignment.

She earlier spent a sabbatical year during 1972 and 1973 in Ethiopia supervising EMU studnts who were combining student teaching with a study year abroad.

She graduated from EMU in 1949 and received master's degrees from Georg Peabody College, Nashville, Tenn.; a master of arts in Christian education from Wheaton (Ill.) College and a doctorate in education from Syracuse (N.Y.) University.

"Esther was deeply committed to cross-cultural learning throughout her life," said Dorothy Jean Weaver, professor of New Testament at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. "Taking students to Africa in the early 1970s and later serving with MCC in Botswana became significant, life-transforming experiences for her."

Lehman was a member of Mount Clinton Mennonite Church.

The Harrisonburg native was the daughter of the late Chester K. and Myra Kendig Lehman. C. K. Lehman was EMU's first dean, serving from 1921 to 1956, and taught Bible courses at EMU and Eastern Mennonite Seminary until his retirement in 1972.

A memorial service will be held Feb. 15 in Strite Auditorium at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. A private burial service will be held that morning at Weavers Mennonite cemetery.