Eugene "Gene" R. Lehr

Eugene Richard Lehr, 86, passed away peacefully in his home at 7525 Creighton Drive, College Park, Maryland on Monday, September 1, 2025.

He was born in Ravine (Cherryville) Pennsylvania on September 11, 1938. Gene graduated from Pine Grove High School in 1957. He moved to live and work in the Washington, D.C. area in 1959. He continued his education at the Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Maryland. Gene joined the Army Reserve Corps in October 1961 which included six years of service. During that time, he started working at the Library of Congress, Copyright Office as a researcher and continued working there for 34 years. Gene established the “Lehr Copyright Research Company” when he retired and continued to work as a researcher for several different lawyers and companies until approximately five years ago.

As a young man, Gene ran marathons and participated in the Prince George’s Running Club as a founding member and served 8 years as president of the organization. He also enjoyed riding his bike on many trips to different locations. Gene started Square Dancing in 1998 and danced with the Good Luck Squares, Village Swingers, and Belair Square Cats Clubs. He also attended the annual Washington Area Square Dance Corporation Association festival every March and the Star-Spangled Banner festival every July. Between 2000 to 2023, Gene attended 20 National Square Dance Conventions which were held in different cities and states every year. He really enjoyed these trips that helped him explore our great country.

Gene enjoyed spending time with his nephews, painting, and baking. We all remember his delicious brownies and fudge. He was a very active member of “The Abiding Presence Lutheran Church” in Beltsville, Maryland, and his faith and church family were an important part of his life. He lived a very full and memorable life and spent time entertaining at his home with friends and family. This included the New Year’s celebrations with his Pennsylvania House Irish Crème and his beautiful Christmas Bird Tree. Gene has continued enjoying life by going on several cruises in the last few years.

He was the youngest son of Henry and Loretta (Lehman) Lehr and was also preceded in death by three brothers William Lehr, Carl Lehr, and Harry Lehr, and two sisters Verna Starinsky and Joan Kintzel. He is survived by several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Any expressions of sympathy for the family can be shown by sending your condolences to them at 17 Locust Street, Pine Grove, PA 17963.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on November 8, 2025 at the Borgwardt Funeral Home, 4400 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD 20705 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. The service will include Military Honors with the playing of taps and flag folding.

An Interment Ceremony will be held later in November 2025 at the St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ravine Cemetery in Pine Grove, PA.

Memorial donations may be made in Gene’s memory to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 78851, Phoenix, AZ 85062.