Ruby Ann Lehman

A Denison-born business woman and Naval officer has passed away at 92 years of age. Ruby Lehman returned to Denison in 2007, from her long-standing home in New York City, to spend the last seven years of her life in the fine assisted-living care of The Reed House. She will be remembered as a woman ahead of her time – forging a career in the fashion industry after her military duty ended in 1946.

Ruby Lehman was a 1939 graduate of Denison High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in 1943, majoring in Hospital Dietetics with a minor in Textiles and Clothing. Ruby was a member of the Chi Omega social sorority, League of Women Voters, Food and Nutrition Club and Home Economics club while at ISU.

Instead of an internship in Food and Nutrition, Ruby joined the WAVES of the U.S. Navy and participated in officer training at Harvard University (Radcliff) in Boston, graduating with the rank of Lt. J.D.. She served 3 years as an officer in the naval Supply Corps before returning to civilian life and a career in fashion merchandising and design.

Ms. Lehman’s career took her from Denver to Chicago, to Dayton’s in Minneapolis and then on to Saks Fifth Avenue in New York. Ruby was the ready-to-wear knitwear buyer for Saks, with business taking her regularly across the U.S. and onward to Europe and Asia markets since 1957. While at Saks she was closely involved with the Goldworm company’s ready to wear line in creative styling, print selection, and merchandising at the factory level, and she counted the Missoni’s of Italy as clients and personal friends. Ruby served on a number of training committees and taught merchandising classes, including guest lectures at NY’s Fashion Institute of Technology. Ms. Lehman retired in her 70’s, consulting and traveling to Germany for her work for Givenchy’s En Plus line until her retirement. In her spare time, she enjoyed cooking and entertaining, traveling, art and theater, tennis and swimming.

Upon retirement, Ruby actively participated in committees of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in NYC, serving as a Deacon for many years and contributing her business acumen, spiritual curiosity and love of learning. She renewed her connection with the United Presbyterian Church in Denison upon her return in 2007 and was grateful for their loving support.

Ruby passed away due to natural causes on July 10, 2014 in caring surrounds of the Denison Care Center and Crawford County Hospice.

Ruby joins her parents Edward E. and Hattie E. Lehman of Denison, and her sister Lois, in their heavenly home. She leaves behind three Godchildren: William Richards of Cambridge, MA, Lauren Richards of Brooklyn, NY and Jonathan Richards of Princeton, NJ, a number of cousins including James Else, Joyce Petersen, Jerry Struck of Schleswig and Roxanne Richards of Belvedere, CA, other relatives and many caring friends.