Herman Lehrer

Obituary Herman Lehrer. b. November 15, 1919, Wilmington, DE. Son of Benjamin Lehrer obm and Bessie Eisenkraft Lehrerobm, older brother to Lillian Herzogobm, loving husband to Griselda and father to two sons, Michael of Encino, CA and Bradley of Redmond, WA and grandfather to Benjamin, Brian and Emily. Herman spent his childhood in the Bronx, New York. He was a graduate of the New York University School of Finance and served during World War II in the Army Air Corp Division of Finance. During his posting at McChord Field, he met the love of his life, Griselda "Babe" Lyon who he married on August 25, 1946 at the Burnside Manor in Bronx, NY. Herman and his life partner, Babe, developed Lyons Apparel from a single store on Broadway in downtown Tacoma into a small chain of retail women's clothing stores, which were situated in the major shopping malls of Washington and Oregon. Herman and Babe oversaw the growth and operation of their business to more than fifteen stores until their retirement in 1984. Following retirement from over forty years in the retail business, Herman had more time to develop his near encyclopedic knowledge of Broadway and movie history. He enjoyed singing and harmonizing on show tunes and the songs of the thirties, forties and fifties. Herman was generous in giving of his time and resources while encouraging his wife, Babe, to assume leadership and fund raising roles for community activities in Tacoma. Herman will be missed by family, friends, former employees and customers of Lyons Apparel, members of the Elks Club and Tacoma Mall Kiwanis (where he was a charter member), as well as members of congregation Temple Beth El, where he and Babe were founding members. Herman did not move mountains, but in his way he was a mountain. He was a loving and protective husband. and a proud, involved parent and grandparent. Herman was a loyal friend upon whom one could always rely. He never uttered a cross word, always extending his hand in friendship, warmed with his ever-present handwarmers. Herman suffered a stroke earlier this year. He passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at his home, surrounded by his immediate family. Words cannot begin to express the void created by Herman's death; he was truly a "gentle" man. The world is a better place as a result of his life and we are all better for having known and loved him. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 4, 2006 at 11:00 am at the Home of Peace Cemetery, 5421 Steilacoom Boulevard SW, in Lakewood. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Herman's memory to the Lehrer Family Scholarship at the Tacoma Community College, c/o TCC Foundation, 6501 South 19th Street, Tacoma, Washington 98466 or to Temple Beth El - Reutlinger Music Fund, 5975 South 12th Street, Tacoma, Washington 98465.