My Friend Jay Lehr Has Passed

 By Rich Kozlovich

For some years I had the privilege to knowing and working with Jay Lehr, one of the founders of EPA who said they haven't done anything worthwhile since 1980 and need to be dismantled.  He's now passed, and I am truly saddened, he was a warm, humorous, gracious and generous man, and I always thought a humble man who had a major impact in the fight for truth, and wanting to continue to do so as long as he lived.  And he did.  His passion for life was really quite remarkable! Below is the obituary.

 

Jay H. Lehr September 11, 1936  -  January 10, 2023

Jay Lehr, 86, of Ostrander, Ohio passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Grady Memorial Hospital. Born September 11, 1936 in Bayonne, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Martin Moses and Rebecca (Dreznick) Lehr. On July 7, 1991, he married Janet Kingery at the Wyman Woods Park and they shared 31 wonderful years together.

Jay was a professor of Hydrogeology at The Ohio State University in the 1960’s and adjunct for many more years. He spent 25 years as the Executive Director of the National Ground Water Association. He then spent 25 years as Senior Scientist for The Heartland Institute. Most recently, Jay was Senior Scientist for the International Climate Science Coalition. Jay was passionate about educating others on the science behind the fallacy of man-made climate change.

Jay was known as the “Father of Western Lacrosse”. He was assistant lacrosse coach at The Ohio State University in the ‘60s. He loved playing club lacrosse, hockey and men’s hardball. He founded the Columbus Metros semi-pro football team. He was an avid skydiver, 10-time Ironman finisher, and multiple marathon finisher. Jay loved watching all sports on tv, splitting firewood and taking care of his chickens and dogs.

Jay was a proud Princeton alum (class of ’57). He was known throughout the Princeton community for his participation in the Princeton Parade, where he walked the parade route on his hands for 20 years, then completed the route annually on his unicycle for another 20 years. He was also known for his love of skydiving, having completed 1481 successful jumps, always with exact precision of hitting his target,“Earth”.

Jay was the most optimistic and energetic person you will ever meet. He always inspired others to reach their highest potential. He adored his wife, Janet and cherished doing everything together, from traveling to biking to watching Hallmark movies. Everyday was Christmas Eve to Jay. In addition to his wife, Janet, he is survived by his daughters, Leslie (John Truby) Lehr and Tracy (Mike) de Martino; stepchildren, Tonia (Richard) Birt and Tom (Colleen) Kingery; grandchildren, Juliette, Caty Joy, Marie Claire, Josilynn, Spencer, Emily, Abigail, and Landon.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Edith Amsterdam and Rachel Lehr.

Dear friends, please join us to celebrate the life of our beloved Dr. Jay H. Lehr on Monday, January 16, 2023 at Gather, 53 N. Sandusky Street Delaware Ohio from 4-7.  If you would like to share a memory, please contact Janet at JanetandJay1991@yahoo.com (subject line: remarks) so that we can plan accordingly.  We hope to start sharing these memories with everyone around 5:30. Memorial contributions may be made in Jay’s name at Landonacure.org.

For parking information visit https://www.mainstreetdelaware.com/parking-map/