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Jack Lehman Obituary
January 27, 1928
September 14, 2017
Jack Lehman was born Jaco Walruch in Chemnitz, Germany, to Jewish parents Solomon and Eva. Jack and his sister Hella came to Ellis Island by themselves as refugees at the ages of 7 and 9, respectively. Their family perished in Nazi Germany, and they were raised by their adoptive parents Moe and Lil Lehman in Lake Arrowhead, CA. Jack attended UC Berkeley, where he studied political science and fell deeply in love with LuLu Levinson, his late wife of 57 years. During the Korean War, he was stationed in Japan as a radio communications officer. After graduating from Berkeley in 1951, Lehman worked at KLAS-TV in Las Vegas, hosting news segments, local talent shows, and the widely-popular children's program "Commander Lee." Lehman worked in various capacities for Nevada Democratic Governors Grant Sawyer, Mike O'Callaghan and Richard Bryan. He held positions in the Department of Economic Development for the States of Nevada and California, and was the Chairman of the Colorado River Commission. After earning a law degree at USC, and nearly two decades as an attorney in Las Vegas, Lehman was appointed as a Judge to the 8th Judicial District Court in Nevada in 1988, a post he held until his retirement in 2003. The cornerstone of Lehman's legacy as a judge is his creation of the Las Vegas Drug Court in 1992, offering drug offenders the opportunity to offset prison sentences through a system of rigorous rehabilitation and testing. During his 11-year tenure on the Drug Court bench, Lehman changed thousands of lives, helping users to avoid prison and to find lasting treatment for their addiction. Jack always felt at home in nature. He was an avid hiker, making yearly pilgrimages to Zion Canyon in Utah and the rocky coastline of central Oregon. He cherished the music of Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, and never stopped laughing at every episode of Seinfeld. He is survived by his sister Helen Reid Brown, children Jessica Lehman Hirsch (Peter Hirsch) and Steve Lehman (Suzie Lehman), his grandchildren Brittany Lehman, Briana Stone (Jordan Stone), Sara Hirsch Guerrieri (Chris Guerrieri), and Adam Hirsch, and his great-grandchildren Caden and Olivia Stone. Jack died peacefully at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, CA, surrounded by his family. His legacy is one of survival and perseverance, labor and devotion, laughter and love, and a ceaseless desire to improve the lives of those around him. A memorial service will be held on Sunday September 17th at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery, 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068. Contributions in Jack's honor can be made to the Jack and Lulu Lehman Scholarship Fund, to provide educational opportunities for graduates of the Las Vegas Juvenile Drug Court. Checks can be made payable to the California Community Foundation, specifying Jack and Lulu Lehman Scholarship Fund in the memo, to 221 S. Figueroa St. Suite 400 Los Angeles, CA 90012.
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6 Entries
Carole Kaufman
September 22, 2017
I was so sad to hear of Judge Lehman's passing. I have very fond memories of him. I worked for the Clark County Public Defenders office - in the Drug Court program - that's where I met Judge Lehman. He was brilliant and had an excellent sense of humor. It was the perfect combination for a judge. I admired him greatly. He will be missed. Carole Kaufman
Christina Castaneda
September 18, 2017
My name is Christina and Judge Lehman saved my life! I was addicted to methamphetamine from the age of 16 1994 until I got arrested in 2005. Judge Lehman was my drug court court judge. He was so hard on me, so Stearn, he would always remind me that prison could be possible.
But, I needed it. I graduated from drug court 1 year later. Every time I appeared before him, he would say how much more beautiful I am since I got clean. On my graduation from drug court in 2006, judge Lehman congratulated me and said what a beautiful smile I had. I will never forget this man. He truly saved my life! If it weren't for him, I would be in prison, I wouldn't be the woman... clean, sober, productive member of society that I am. Thank you Judge Lehman... I can't ever repay you. May you rest in peace knowing you helped so many people.
Bill Henderson
September 18, 2017
A brilliant jurist, with a quick mind and quick wit. Always very well-prepared.
His back story is fascinating--fleeing Europe as a small child, hosting the children's program as a young man, etc.
But, no doubt, his greatest and most enduring legacy is Drug Court, wherein countless people were given a new lease on life rather than being confined to the dust bin of the prison system.
Bill Henderson
September 18, 2017
A brilliant jurist. Always very-well prepared. Very quick mind, and very witty.
Fascinating life--fleeing the Third Reich as a small child, hosting the local children's program as a young man, etc.
Perhaps his greatest lasting legacy is, in fact, the Drug Court, wherein countless individuals were given a new lease on life rather than being consigned to the dust pan of the prison system.
A lengthy, and very interesting, life very well lived.
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Bruce Glesby
September 16, 2017
Jessie and Steve, please accept Denise's and myheartfelt condolences. "Uncle Jack" played a large role in my life. A tireless worker and contributor to the betterment of society, he led by example. He began his law career in his late 30s as a new career. His doing so gave me the confidence that I could follow a similar path at the same age he was.
Instead of retiring at 60, which he easily could have done, he started a new career as a judge. He loved good beer and
good jokes, and I always was pleased when I could elicit his infectious laugh. He'll not soon be forgotten and he is already sorely missed.
Peter Chase Neumann
September 16, 2017
Jack Lehman was , by any measure, one of the great Nevadans. And what a history of how he came to the United States! A fabulous person whose goal in life was to help others. He certainly achieved that, in spades!
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