Lehman, G. Irvin (1915-2007)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2007 Sep 10 p. 12

Birth date: 1915

text of obituary:

Former EMU Bible professor dies at 92

By Eastern Mennonite University

HARRISONBURG, Va. — G. Irvin Lehman, professor emeritus of Old Testament at Eastern Mennonite University, died Aug. 27 at Oak Lea Nursing Home. He was 92.

Lehman taught at the former Eastern Mennonite School in 1940-41 and rejoined the EMU Bible and religion department in 1952, teaching Old Testament courses there until 1976. In 1965, he was also named to the Eastern Mennonite Seminary faculty and later taught there full time until retirement.

"G. Irvin was famous for delivering many pithy one-liners in class, one of which was, 'He (or she!) who throws mud always loses ground.' Great advice for future pastors!" said EMU President Loren Swartzendruber.

A native of Lancaster, Pa., Lehman was a 1935 graduate of Eastern Mennonite School. He completed his undergraduate studies at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College and earned master's and doctoral degrees from New York University.

His extensive service overseas included directing a medical relief unit in Nazareth, Ethiopia; and teaching English at American University, Beirut, Lebanon; and at Anatolia College, Salonika, Greece. He led numerous study tours and seminars in the Meddle East and lectured widely on his experiences there.

Lehman served on an editorial committee in the preparation of the New International Bible, a translation sponsored by the New York International Bible Society. He served as president of the National Association of Professors of Hebrew. He was a member of Park View Mennonite Church.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Edith Vanderploeg Lehman and Verna Yeager Lehman. Surviving are three sons, George Nathan, Peter Daniel and Timothy Joseph Lehman; a daughter, Eunice L. Kerbs, two sisters and four grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Sept. 1 at Park View Mennonite Church with burial in Weavers Church cemetery.