Edward William Lehman

Edward William Lehman of Dedham, MA, formerly of New York, NY, died peacefully after a short illness on Saturday, November 22, 2025. Born in Regensburg, Germany, Ed was the son of the late Katharina (Hoffmann) and William Lehman.

In 1939, at just three years old, Ed emigrated with his parents to the United States, in an effort to escape the Nazis. They settled in New York’s Morningside Heights among his father’s siblings and family—who had also fled Europe.

Ed was a proud alumnus of Stuyvesant High School. He went on to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Fordham University, where he also completed the ROTC program. After entering the U.S. Army, he served six months of peacetime active duty and retired with the rank of captain. Ed later pursued doctoral studies at Columbia University, receiving his Ph.D. in sociology in 1967. During those years, he also worked as a research associate at Cornell Medical College. Ed spent his entire academic career as a professor of sociology at New York University. Over the years, he authored four books, served as department chair for a decade, and was an active member of the Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics.

He shared his love of learning and teaching with Bunnie, and together they spent over 67 years together, ever devoted to one another. Ed was predeceased by his beloved son, Robert Lehman, and only seven weeks ago by his devoted wife, Ethna “Bunnie” Lehman. He is survived by his cherished daughter-in-law, Jennifer Lehman (O’Neil), and his treasured granddaughter, Margaret Lehman, who brought him immense pride and joy.  Ed will be remembered for his keen intellect, amazing humor, love of family, and lifelong dedication to learning and teaching. He will be missed by all of us, but most especially by the Lehmans, Loebs, Kays, Comptons, O’Neils and Scalias.

Please join the family at a funeral Mass to be held at Saint Joseph Church, 1382 Highland Avenue, Needham, on Saturday November 29, 2025 at 11 a.m. I

n lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Hebrew SeniorLife, Development Department, 1200 Centre Street, Boston, MA 02131, Memo: Hospice in memory of Edward and Ethna Lehman or at hebrewseniorlife.org/TributeGift please note Hospice.

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