Dr. Stephen H. Lehrer
Bellevue, WA
Dr. Stephen Lehrer, 58, died April 6, 2010, in Bellevue, WA, after battling with pancreatic cancer. He was born Denver, CO. He and his wife of 31 years, Gila, married in May 1979. Together they raised two sons, Matan (24) and Tamir (21). He is also survived by one sister, Beverly Brennen Lehrer of Steamboat Streams, CO.
Dr. Lehrer graduated with honors from the University Denver in 1974 with undergraduate degrees in math and physics and a minor in history. In 1979 he obtained his doctorate degree in optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry.
Dr. Lehrer’s son Matan is a marketing graduate from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, and his son Tamir currently attends the University of Oregon in Eugene, where he is studying Accounting.
Dr. Lehrer started his career at Group Health, and then worked for Virginia Mason, before deciding to open his own optometry practice, Eye Society, sixteen years ago. Eye Society was a collaboration of his professionalism and Gila’s design and retail expertise and was a shared passion in their life together. Five years ago they opened another office in Mill Creek, and recently the Bellevue Eye Society relocated to the new Bravern development in Bellevue.
An avid history lover, Dr. Lehrer and his wife traveled to many places around the world, including: Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Israel, France, and England. He especially loved Greek and Roman history and enjoyed reflecting on lessons learned from those cultures. He was also an avid reader and a lover of archeological digs and rock-and-roll music. He was very generous towards others, both individually and as a whole, supporting the “Adopt a Platoon” organization as well as U.S. military veterans.
Those who knew Dr. Lehrer knew that he was a man of very high integrity who believed that his word was of utmost importance. He was very devoted to his profession and staff, and he had a great passion for his work and interaction with his patients. One could often hear him laughing with his patients as he performed eye exams. He had a dry, but intricate, sense of humor, which endeared people to him. He liked to write poems to inform his staff of company functions; Eye Society staff enjoyed many outings together, including a hot-air balloon ride.
To support and continue the wonderful work of the dedicated staff at the Overlake Cancer Center, a donation in lieu of flowers is greatly appreciated. Donations can be sent to the Overlake Cancer Center, Attention Kristie Howard, 1135 116th Ave NE, Suite 230, Bellevue, WA 98004.