Alvin J. Lehman

Alvin Joseph Lehman, beloved of Lila Jeanne Bussey, died in Vero Beach, Florida, at the age of 96, on March 10, 2022. By his bedside were his children: Marc, Deby and David, and by phones, close to him on his pillow, were the voices of Michelle in Berlin, Germany, and Sheri in Tustin, California.

Al, as we all called him, was born in Montgomery, Alabama, the son of Sam and Ray Lehman. His two loving sisters, Dot and Sylvia, and brother Julian, predeceased him. He is survived by his five children: daughter Sheri Clements (Lee) of Tustin, California, daughter Deby Winter (Rob) of Vero Beach, Florida, son David Lehman of Vero Beach, Florida, son Marc (Suzanne) of Wellington, Florida, daughter Michelle Livadiotis (Dimitri) of Berlin, Germany, and five grandchildren, Valerie, David, Jr., Tyler, Alma Ray, and Ophelia.

Al enlisted after Pearl Harbor but was not accepted because his father had passed away, and at the age of 15 years, Al was the sole support for his mother. Al enlisted again in 1948 and served until 1952. He rose from PFC to Corporal to Staff Sergeant rank. Al was on active duty with the US Air Force and played an integral role as Air Crew Chief during the Berlin Air Lift (often called the Cold War) and proudly participated in over 350 flights. He was stationed at Burtonwood Air Force Base, Warrington, England. His plane flew from his Quonset hut quarters in Lancaster, England to Temple Huff Airfield in Germany, where they delivered food, medicine, and essentials to the Germans. He told us there were some anxious moments when the Russian fighter planes ‘buzzed our planes’ but never fired a shot. He was awarded a Letter of Commendation from former Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, for his participation in the Cold War. Al was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Because of his service, his youngest daughter, Michelle, was able to attend and graduate from the University of Potsdam on scholarship from the “Luftbrucken-Dank Stiftung” (Berlin Air Lift) with a diploma in Music Education. He was a proud young veteran who wore his emblem,’ the wings’, every day. In 2004, Al visited his daughter, Michelle, in Berlin, Germany, and had the moving experience of re-visiting the Tempelhof Airfield. One of his old planes was on display. This visit brought back strong, emotional memories for him.

Al is one of the greatest generations. Family ties were deeply rooted in Al’s life.  His gentle nature, love of music, stories of his war days and his quick wit were a delight to all who knew him. He will be remembered by his karaoke friends for his rendition of “An Ordinary Man”. If you knew him, you loved him. Treasured by Lila and his family are his beautiful writings, many of which have been published. He remembered word-for-word, hundreds of songs during his long life. He had a great knowledge of world history, especially the Civil War Era.

Al will always carry a special place in the hearts of those who knew him for being such a kind, loving, humble man. He loved being with friends. His wishes were to thank everyone who made his life so happy. During the recent difficult Covid years, he expressed great appreciation for help given by friends like Eric and Sarah Behymer who brought meals and kept him company while the dear “love of my life”, Lila, recovered from her fall related injuries. He was also grateful to those who brought him loving comfort during his last days, especially his dear friends, Uncle Joe and Margaret Fly and Christy Crews Kane.

May God bless him and hold him forever……… and may he once again be reunited with his loving parents, sisters and brother and all of the service ‘buddies’ he spoke of so often.

A Memorial Service with full military honors will be held at Veteran’s Memorial Island Sanctuary, Riverside Park, in Vero Beach at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, April 19th, 2022.

Arrangements by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.