Bob Lehman 67, Grampy to his 13 and under crew, passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully, at his home on Friday, November 18th, 2022.

Bob was born April 6th, 1955 to Kenneth and Charlene (Lee) Lehman in Rice Lake, WI.

He spent his early days roaming around Noble Avenue and working at Norswiss Farm with his aunt, uncle and cousins. It was in his time working on the farm that he learned about hard work and the many different ways to complete a task. He graduated from RLHS in 1973 and UWEC in 1978. He married Kathy (Erickson) in 1978 and began his career as a claims adjustor, most of which under his own shingle; North Country Adjusting. Along the way he volunteered as a Barron County Deputy Reserve and had the highest level of respect for the Law Enforcement community throughout his life. He pretty much, almost, retired in 2017 but kept himself busy for a few more years driving bus for the Rice Lake School District. Whether by design or happenstance, Bob started coaching, specifically hoops, in the early 80’s and never really stopped. Over the years, he coached at every level from ‘D Bracket’ City League to High School Junior Varsity. He passed this passion (and talent? curse?) to his three kids who can still be found roaming the sidelines throughout northwest Wisconsin. The gym became a second home for him, and his fellow coaches and players became an extended family whose influence was felt far beyond the gym. While he was always ‘somewhat’ into cars (read the sarcasm), in recent years he and Kathy discovered a specific interest in all things Jeep. They enjoyed many drives, top down, around the northwoods to nowhere in particular. Many times these drives included a stop at ‘The Joint’ for some raw potatoes and to chew the fat with Butch and family. Another destination on auto-pilot was the Palace in the Popple for hours of work in the woods, chasing whitetails, and intelligent conversation in the shack. And the grandkids. He loved his grandkids. With the world opening back up, he was quickly becoming a fixture at his grandkids activities once more, a tradition started by his parents back in the 80’s.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Kathy, son and daughter-in-law Erick and Anna (Haus), Mallory (Musil) and Aaron, and Kristen and Alex Drost (but Kristen’s not a Drost, yet anyway); 6 grandkids, Kellen, Riley, Zander and Brekken Lehman; Jordy, and Kaylee Musil; Erickson in-laws, Mitch (Vicky), Mike (Sandy), Mark (Amy), and Merrill, brother-in-law Rob (Elsa), many cousins, nieces, nephews, Aunt Snooks, friends that have become like family to us, and his rescue mutt, Gidget.

He was preceded in death by his parents Kenn and Char Lehman, parents-in-law Reynold and Joyce Erickson, grandson baby Kyle Musil, sister Gloria Schoenhals, nephew Ted Schoenhals, nephew Shawn Weeks, sister-in-law Kris Calhoon, sister-in-law Dawn Erickson, sister-in-law Amy Erickson, and nephew Kristopher Erickson.

Funeral Services will be held at 11AM Saturday, November 26, 2022 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Rice Lake, Rev. Arthur Bergren and Rev. Sue Eidahl officiating, with interment in Orchard Beach Cemetery in Rice Lake. Visitation will be held from 4-8PM Friday at Bethany Lutheran Church and for one hour prior to the Funeral Service at the Church.

Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake is assisting the family with the arrangements.

As an honorarium to Bob, donations can be made to Ronald McDonald House, Richard I Bong Veterans Historical Center, or Little Red Barn Dog Rescue.

Last Update: Nov 22, 2022 4:51 am CST