Carroll J Lehman

Carroll James Lehman, 75, of Rindge, died unexpectedly, Wednesday evening, July 26, 2017, in the comfort of his home.

He was born, on May 29, 1942, in Marion, PA, the son of Andrew Hege and Anna Lois (Shank) Lehman. He grew up in the Pennsylvania Mennonite farming communities, and attended area schools. He was a 1964 graduate of the Eastern Mennonite University with a BS in Music Education, and then studied at the University of Iowa, graduating with a Master of Arts in Vocal Music and later with a Doctorate in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy.

During his early career years, he taught at Hope College and Western Washington University before beginning his tenure at Keene State College as a Professor of Music in 1978. He taught, inspired, mentored, challenged and conducted at Keene State for 37 years before his retirement in 2015.

He married his self-proclaimed “soul mate”, Marcia Rinehart, on May 12, 2009, in a ceremony at their home in Rindge.

He travelled the world touring and performing, he sang for the Pope's weekly broadcast, conducted performances at Carnegie Hall, and learned from Masters such as Pavarotti. He was involved with and conducted the Monadnock Chorus for 20 years. Most recently he became a published author, when just last year, his autobiography titled “From Sh-t on my Boots to Carnegie Hall” was published.

He was a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the Music Educators National Conference as well as the Music Teachers National Association.

He is survived by his wife: Marcia Lehman of Rindge; his children: Regina Lehman of Portland, OR, Scott Lehman of Seattle, WA, Heather Ball and her husband Tim, of Meriden, NH, Adam Barley and his wife Eva Farkas of Seattle, WA and Matthew LeClair of Washington DC; his brother: Wilmer Lehman and his wife Mary Louise of Harrisonburg, VA, a sister: Alta Landis and her husband James of Lancaster, PA; six grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a brother: Nelson Lehman.

There are no public calling hours or services planned at this time, per the wishes of the family. Plans for future services will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made, in Carroll J. Lehman’s name, to Keene State College for the Carroll Lehman Award for Excellence in Vocal Music, ( www.keene.edu/donate ), or to the Mennonite Central Committee ( www.MCC.org ).