Orin Lehman ’42

Body

Orin Lehman, New York State's longtime parks steward, died of pneumonia Feb. 22, 2008, at his Manhattan home.

Orin was a great-grandson of Mayer Lehman, a founder of Lehman Brothers. He prepared at the Taft School. At Princeton he played on the freshman football team, majored in psychology, and was a member of Cap and Gown.

Upon graduation he received a commission in the Field Artillery, and shortly thereafter was trained as a liaison pilot. He flew many observation missions in Europe and was shot down over Germany, receiving injuries that necessitated amputation of one leg. For his service he received the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

In 1947 he joined Eleanor Roosevelt in founding Just One Break (JOB), an organization dedicated to finding employment opportunities for the disabled. He remained its chairman for half a century. In 1975 he was appointed New York State commissioner of parks, recreation, and historic preservation and retained this title for 18 years. He was particularly effective in bringing order to the administration of his office and emphasizing historical preservation.

Orin's first wife, Jane Bagley Lehman, died in 1988. He and his second wife, Wendy Vanderbilt Lehman, were divorced in 1995.

To his daughters, Susan Lehman Carmichael, Brooke Lehman, and Sage Lehman, and his four grandchildren, the class sends its condolences.

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