George W. Lehr
George W. Lehr | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait (1975) | |
| State Auditor of Missouri | |
| In office January 14, 1975 – January 11, 1977 | |
| Governor | Kit Bond |
| Preceded by | John Ashcroft |
| Succeeded by | Thomas M. Keyes |
| County Executive of Jackson County, Missouri | |
| In office 1973–1975 | |
| Preceded by | Himself (as Presiding Judge) |
| Succeeded by | Mike White |
| Presiding Judge of Jackson County, Missouri | |
| In office 1971–1973 | |
| Preceded by | Charles E. Curry |
| Succeeded by | Himself (as County Executive) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George Warwick Lehr March 10, 1937 Kirksville, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | March 21, 1988 (aged 51) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Barbara Lehr (1957-1988) |
| Children | 3 |
George Warwick Lehr (March 10, 1937 – March 21, 1988) was an American Democratic politician from Missouri who served as the state auditor from 1975 to 1977. He started his career when in 1963, he was appointed auditor of Jackson County, Missouri. He was later elected as the county executive, becoming the first county executive, replacing the old system of a county judge being executive. He was elected state auditor in 1974, defeating future U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft. Lehr resigned in 1977 to spend more time with his family, including his son who had suffered muscular dystrophy. After leaving office, he was credited with helping to clean the Teamster's pension fund. Lehr developed brain tumors and died in 1988.
Early life and career
[edit]He was born in Kirksville, Missouri, in 1937. He attended Kirksville High School and was halfback on the football team, where he was coached by John Spainhower, the brother of future Missouri Treasurer Jim Spainhower.[1] In his senior year of high school, Lehr became afflicted with Polio.[2] He would walk with the aid of crutches afterwards.[3][4]
After graduating from the University of Iowa with a degree in accounting, he was appointed auditor of Jackson County, Missouri, in 1963.[5] At the age of 29, he became the youngest major elected office holder in the history of Jackson County by being elected collector of revenue.[3] He was the first elected county executive, serving from 1971 to 1975, replacing the old system of having a County Judge, and replacing it with a legislature and Executive.[6] During his watch the County built the Truman Sports Complex, and Lehr on one occasion, mediated during a possible strike that threatened the project.[7] Also during his tenure, Lehr once helped diffuse a prison hostage situation by offering himself as a hostage, and remaining so until there was a resolution.[8][9]
State Auditor of Missouri
[edit]In 1974, Lehr was elected Missouri auditor by a margin of about 73,000 votes, defeating the appointed incumbent John Ashcroft.[3] Lehr argued that as a certified public accountant, he would be better able to do the job.[10] He became the first certified public accountant to serve as State Auditor.[5]
Lehr was seen as a potential contender for the Democratic nomination for governor in 1976.[11] Polling at the time showed Lehr to be the best polling candidate against incumbent Governor Kit Bond, albeit trailing by a large margin.[12] Later polls showed that Lehr was the best polling candidate in the Democratic primary, edging out State Treasurer James Spainhower and Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Teasdale.[13] Lehr considered running, even before he was elected Auditor,[14][15] but would ultimately decline to enter the race.[16] There had been speculation that Teasdale's candidacy affected Lehr's plans, though he would deny this.[17]
On September 18, 1976, Lehr announced his intent to resign to spend more time with his family and terminally ill son, George Lehr Jr. who had muscular dystrophy.[18] The day before, Lehr's son had passed out attending a high school football game, and the amount of strain his son's health put on his family influenced Lehr to make the decision.[19] Lehr planned to resign after that November's election if Kit Bond won re-election, but opted to delay his resignation for when Joseph Teasdale won, so that the new Governor, a fellow Democrat, could name his replacement.[20] His resignation went into effect at noon January 11, 1977.[21] He was succeeded by Thomas M. Keyes.
Post-Auditor career
[edit]After leaving office, Lehr was named the president of the Empire Bank and Trust Company in Kansas City.[22] Later, he was chairman and chief executive officer of Traders Bank.[23] Lehr's son died on December 8, 1977 at the age of 18.[24] In 1981, Lehr accepted a post as executive director of the Teamsters Union Central States pension fund.[25] He was credited with helping to clean up the scandal-plagued fund.[26] Lehr declined to make a bid for the open 5th congressional district seat in 1981.[27]
Death
[edit]On March 5, 1987, Lehr had a seizure on the way to Washington National Airport and was rushed to George Washington University Hospital.[28] Afterwards, he underwent tests, including a brain biopsy.[29] Shortly afterwards, he was sent to the Mayo Clinic, where he was diagnosed with brain tumors.[28] The tumors were considered inoperable.[26][30] Lehr died on March 21, 1988, at the age of 51. He was survived by his wife Barbara and two daughters.[26]
References
[edit]- ^ "Lehr to Speak at Jaycee Event". The Nevada Daily Mail. 1976-01-13. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ "Kirk's Lehr Girds to Free Polio Shackle". St. Joseph's Gazette. 1954-10-15. p. 14. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ a b c "Pledge marks inauguration". The Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. 1975-01-14. p. 2. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ Warren, James (1988-03-22). "George Lehr, 50 dies; reversed reputation of Teamster's fund". The Vindicator. p. 25. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ a b Missouri Secretary of State's Office. "George W. Lehr". Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
- ^ Sullivan, Joe (1974-06-23). "Rear View Mirror". The Nevada Daily Mall. p. 4. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ "Strike Threatens Complex". The Nevada Daily Mail. Associated Press. 1972-01-19. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ "Teamsters' central states fund cleans up its act". The Nevada Daily Mail. Associated Press. 1986-06-08. pp. 7A. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ "46 Prisoners With Hostages Give Up in K.C." St. Joseph News-Press. Associated Press. 1974-05-22. pp. 2A. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ "Lehr Cites Need for CPA as State Auditor". The Nevada Daily Mail. 1974-06-27. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ "Running but not Running". St. Joseph News-Press. Associated Press. 1975-04-13. pp. 5A. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ "Bond leads 2 to 1". The Nevada Daily Mail. 1975-12-02. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ "Three-Way Tie in Democratic Gubernatorial Race". The Nevada Daily Mail. 1976-01-11. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ Ganey, Terry (1976-01-13). "Lehr admits to 'looking' at race for governor". St. Joseph News-Press. pp. 3A. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ "Auditor race crucial to future of GOP, Democrats". The Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. 1974-11-03. p. 2. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ "Democratic governor hopefuls zero in on Bond". The Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. 1976-07-19. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ Lindecke, Fred W. (1975-11-09). "Teasdale Switching To Governor's Race". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 58. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
Speculation has continued in some Democratic quarters that George W Lehr former Jackson County executive and now state auditor may enter the governor's contest. Lehr said yesterday that Teasdale's switch does not change his plans to stay out of the race for governor "This does not affect my thinking at all" Lehr said. "I was elected to a 4-year term as auditor and I intend to fulfill it "I have always said if there was not a viable candidate come March or April I would reconsider" Lehr said "This (Teasdale's announcement) gives us a second viable candidate"
- ^ "Lehr resigns post". The Southeast Missourian. 1976-09-19. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ Keough, Don (1977-01-16). "Withdrawal from power". Columbia Daily Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
- ^ "Governor to name Lehr successor". The Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. 1976-09-22. p. 2. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ "Lehr resigns". St. Joseph News-Press. Associated Press. 1977-01-11. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ "Two state officials resign positions". The Daily Capital News. Associated Press. 1977-01-12. p. 6. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
- ^ "Fraud Scheme Called Doomed". The Press-Courier. 1980-05-10. p. 22. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ "George Lehr's Son Dies Of Muscular Dystrophy". The Kansas City Star. 1977-12-08. p. 22. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
- ^ "George Lehr appointed to Teamsters fund". St. Joseph News-Press. Associated Press. 1981-08-23. pp. 5B. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ a b c "George Lehr, 51, Dies; Teamsters' Fund Chief". The New York Times. Associated Press. 1988-03-24. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2015-05-25. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
- ^ Schlinkman, Mark (1981-08-21). "Big names aren't applying for job". The Kansas City Times. p. 15. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
Now at the helm of Traders Bank here, Lehr is by all accounts dedicated to his new career. "Under no circumstances" is the way he answers questions about a Lehr-for-Congress push.
- ^ a b Fitzpatrick, James C. (1988-01-14). "Brain tumors haven't defeated straight shooter from KC". The Kansas City Times. p. 14. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
- ^ "George Lehr in hospital". St. Joseph Gazette. Associated Press. 1987-04-01. p. 11. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
- ^ Associated Press (1988-03-25). "Former Auditor Remembered". Lawrence Journal-World. pp. 3C.