Thomas R. Lehman, 80, of Eau Claire, passed away from cancer Saturday, October 9, 2004, at Sacred Heart Hospital. He was born April 30, 1924, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to Waldemar W. and Stella (Kilboten) Lehman. After graduating from Eau Claire High School in 1941, he attended Eau Claire Teachers College in 1941, and then volunteered for the United States Air Force, where he served 3 years, attaining the rank of Sergeant when discharged. He spent the greater part of his USAF career in San Antonio, Texas, where he worked for the Psychological Research Unit, which classified Air Force Cadets as pilots, bombardiers or navigators. Upon returning to Eau Claire, he enrolled in Eau Claire Teachers College, and obtained a B.S. Degree in Education in 1948. Tom played for four years on the varsity basketball team and was Captain of the Bluegolds for two of those four years. During his senior year playing basketball, he made a national record of "greatest number of fouls in one season." His first teaching position was in Altoona, where he taught science, social studies and math, and also coached the basketball team from 1949-1954. In 1952, a fire at the Altoona High School caused the basketball team to seek any practice place they could find. In spite of that he took his team to the State Basketball Tournament in Madison that year. Tom then accepted a position in the Chippewa Falls High School where he taught Social Studies and was the schools basketball coach from 1955-1960.\r\nHe then left the teaching profession and became the General Manager of the Eau Claire Golf and Country Club, where he remained for 16 years. From 1970-1977, he managed "Fuzzy" Thurston's Left Guard Restaurant in Eau Claire, and then moved to the Civic Center Inn where he was manager of banquets. He remained there until 1980, and then became manager of the Frontier Supper Club in Elk Mound. From 1983-1985 he was manager of the Trader and Trapper, until it was sold. After that, he became semi-retired and spent 8 years working part-time at the YMCA.\r\nHe loved all sports, particularly basketball and golf, and was an avid Green Bay Packer fan. Throughout his life, Tom counseled and financially aided many young people as they sought direction in their lives.\r\nTom is survived by his sister, Ruth M. Lehman; and former sister-in-law, Ruth Lehman-Bremmer both of Eau Claire; several cousins; and many close friends. \r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Wally Lehman.\r\nFuneral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 13, 2004, at Christ Church Cathedral with The Very Rev. H. Scott Kirby and Deacon S.H. "Bunk" Van Gordon officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery where VFW Post #305 will conduct military graveside rites. Friends and relatives may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and an hour prior to services Wednesday at the church.\r\nHis family requests memorials in Tom's name are directed to the Eau Claire YMCA, 700 Graham Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701 or Christ Church Cathedral, 510 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire, WI 54701.

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