NAT LEHRMAN Obituary

LEHRMAN--Nat. Nat Lehrman, 84, former associate publisher of Playboy magazine and president of the company's publishing division, died February 11, 2014, after struggling with Parkinson's disease for several years. He was instrumental in the writing of Hugh Hefner's Playboy Philosophy and he was a creator of the Playboy Foundation, which devoted itself to civil rights, women's rights and other social issues. He was the husband of Kazuko Miyajima Lehrman, whom he met while stationed in her native city of Nara, Japan, during the Korean War. She predeceased him. He was born in Brooklyn and was a graduate of Brooklyn College. During his years with Playboy, he lived in Chicago, where he was an active and avid tennis player. He loved opera and all music, especially classical and folk, and he was an accomplished guitar player. In retirement, he lived in Sarasota, FL. Intelligent, warm and witty, he was an exceptionally generous, kind and decent man. All who knew him, were charmed by him and became his devoted friends. His children, Cynthia Hochswender of Salisbury, CT, and Jerome and Makiko Lehrman of Irvine, CT; his grandchildren, Daniel Lehrman of Ann Arbor, MI, and Katharine Hochswender of Salisbury; and his companion, Jean Hadden, of Sarasota, will miss him but know that his death was a release from the disease that limited the independence that was so much a part of who he was. A memorial service will be held in Chicago at a later date. Memories, stories and messages for the family can be sent to nat-lehrman.forevmissed.com

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Published by New York Times from Feb. 12 to Feb. 16, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for NAT LEHRMAN

10 Entries

Don Gold

February 6, 2020

I had forgotten he was no longer with us. That's significant. It is, as well, a tribute to the memories I have of working with him, both at Playboy and later at Columbia College. They are good memories, filled with fondness and laughter and times shared. Even now, I'm glad I knew him.

Matthew Alschuler

March 2, 2014

Growing up across the street from Nat, he and Kaz were always around. I'd see him washing his car, or Kaz working in her small but immaculate garden. Most often I'd see him coming home from playing tennis, racket in hand. I only learned of his passing from the Hauselmans when we told them of my own mother's sudden death. So many of the fixtures of my neighborhood are gone. When I was purchasing advertising for my business he provided me with insight and guidance. I will miss his smile, his no-nonsense answers, and his laughter.

Crystal Downs

February 23, 2014

Nat was my mentor while I was at Columbia College. I was the first student for whom he secured an internship at Essence magazine (in the 80s). He was super smart and accomplished, but didn't take himself too seriously -- and was approachable and accessible (even as the Chair). He took me to dinner in NY with his daughter and his wife. The whole family was pleasant, open and interesting. I thought he was fantastic and a beacon of knowledge, mostly passed along in the form of incredible anecdotes from his life. He will be sorely missed.

Chris (Seibel) Jucius

February 20, 2014

I was a j-student at Columbia and graduated in 1995. There was never a time Nat's door was closed to a student. He shared in the wins, tested a student's thoughts when needed and helped shape countless students' futures. I don't know where I'd be without the likes of people like Nat Lehman and Don Gold, his colleague at Playboy and Columbia.

Nat will be sorely missed.

Michel Schwartz

February 18, 2014

I'm not sure if Nat's family knows how many lives Nat changed. He was my mentor at Columbia and he was my friend. When I got sick the month before graduation, Nat talked to all my teachers to get pass/fail status and I was able to graduate on time. He taught me my journalistic ethics and he taught me a plethora of life lessons. He will be missed but he will continue to be admired.
Best,
Michel Schwartz
Class of 1996

Ann Haber Stanton

February 17, 2014

To brother Marvin, a friend of many years, I send my deepest condolences. I knew the high regard in which Marvin held his brother. They were very close friends. I learned of this thru our mutual friend, Kichi, and it saddens me. Good health and happiness to you, Marv. Annie

Norman Gelb

February 17, 2014

Before fellow former Brooklyn College Vanguard journalist Nat headed out to Chicago, and before I started on what would turn out to be my permanent exile in Europe, he invited me for dinner at his home in The Bronx or Queens one night, someplace far out on the subway line. As always, Nat was witty and accessible, a hell of a decent guy and an excellent host, as was his charming and delightful wife Kazuko. It was a lovely evening. I'm sorry they both are gone.

Tanya Fipps

February 16, 2014

So sorry, for your loss. I remember summers in St. Louis and he had a great sense of humor

February 16, 2014

To the family, please accept my condolences for the loss of your loved one. May you all find comfort by drawing close to God during this difficult time. James 4:8

February 12, 2014

We'd both worked at Playboy and moved on. Nat was the chair of the journalism department at Columbia College when he offered me a teaching position there. At half my previous salary, but, as it turned out, extremely worthwhile. I loved teaching more than any other job I'd ever had. I still keep in touch with former students, years after I retired. Those memories of the years spent teaching provide me with significant satisfaction. Thanks to Nat. Wherever he may be now, I'd want him to know that.

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