J. Irvin Lehman
This being Father’s Day, the Old Fool should say a few words about his father. J. Irvin Lehman was born on October 31, 1895 and died 89 years later. He was a minister of the gospel. During my childhood he was away fron home half time for evangelistic meetings or Bible teaching. At home, my father was thought of as a liberal. Away from home he was appreciated as a conservative. He was also a writer, editor, and quick learner.
- My father was an organic farmer before organic gardening was popular. When asked for a reason his answer was simply, I am a christian, and I don’t want to put poison on God’s earth. My father was also a bee keeper, He and I kept bees together for a while with more than 100 colonies between us. I had several colonies most of the years we lived in Tampa.
- Father’s winter garden
One of my favorite memories of Grandfather Lehman is a time when Eldon and I and my cousin Ruth were visiting my grandparents in their small bungalow at Menno Haven. We as younger adults were discussing recent findings in alternative energy, particular solar energy, and the possibilities opening up that are good for the earth. To my surprise and delight, Grandfather was not only very interested in the topics, but actively contributed to the conversation.