Richard "Dick" E. Lehr Jr.

Posted 7/22/21

Richard “Dick” E. Lehr Jr., 84, of York, PA, entered into rest on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at Spiri Trust Lutheran at Sprenkle Drive after a brief illness. He was the husband of Dorothy A. (Dittenhafer) Lehr.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Richard "Dick" E. Lehr Jr.

Posted

Richard “Dick” E. Lehr Jr., 84, of York, PA, entered into rest on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at Spiri Trust Lutheran at Sprenkle Drive after a brief illness. He was the husband of Dorothy A. (Dittenhafer) Lehr.

Dick was born in York on May 17, 1937, a son of the late Richard E. Sr., and Pauline C. (Rife) Lehr. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he worked as both a York City firefighter and an ambulance driver for York Hospital. His interest in medicine led him to enroll in one of the first physician assistant programs at Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia, PA. Upon completion, he began his 25-year tenure as a physician assistant in the small hamlet of Narrowsburg, NY, where he was fondly known by community members as “Dr. Dick.” He was honored in 1998 as Rural Physician Assistant of the Year by the American Academy of Physician Assistants. He retired in 1999 to his hometown of York, PA, where he continued to serve his community as a regular volunteer at the York Fire Museum.

Dick was an avid reader who loved music and enjoyed making people laugh. He was most proud of service to his country, first in the U.S. Air Force and later the U.S. Army National Guard. He was a member of the Military Officers Association of America, a life member of Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company in York, the Old Fire Farts of York County, the York Heritage Trust and a member of Salem Lutheran Church.

Dick leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Dorothy A. Lehr; daughter Elizabeth A. Varela and her husband, Chuck; daughter Susan E. Lehr; son Richard E. Lehr III and his wife, Kathleen; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister Carmen Richards; loving extended family; and dear friends.

Private burial will be in Salem Union Cemetery in Jacobus, PA. The John W. Keffer Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc. is assisting with arrangements.

Memorial contributions can be made to York County History Center Fire Museum, 250 East Market St., York, PA 17403, or Salem Lutheran Church, 99 York Rd., Jacobus, PA 17407.

Richard Lehr, obituary