It is with great sadness we share the passing of Rodney F. Lehigh, 91, of York, PA on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Born in York County on April 2, 1933, he was the son of the late David and Velma A. (Hake) Lehigh.
Rod grew up in Wrightsville; thanks to his mother’s reinforcing the need to get a good education and a teacher who drove him to succeed, he became one of 25 students who graduated from Wrightsville Highschool class of ‘51. If he had any free time, he, his brothers, and friends, spent it on the river – summers swimming and water-skiing, winters ice skating. He often told the story of playing “tickle” on the thin ice – he also told the story of the ice “tickling back” when he fell in on the Columbia side and of his having to walk all the way home, very cold, and only on his ice skates.
Rod was just a youngster during the Great Depression and quickly figured out how to earn a living and master new abilities. He spent summers on a local farm and picked sour cherries for a few cents a day, worked with a local auto mechanic to gain mechanical knowledge, and worked with his father, a master stone mason. He also worked at the local quarry and riding stable. For fun, in the ‘50s, he had a permanent car number and raced at the local dragstrip, the Lancaster Drag-O-Way on Rt.30. He was also an avid hunter and lifetime member of the NRA. All these experiences became invaluable as he grew into the man we knew.
As an adult, Rod had the ability to adapt to the changing job market and did what was needed to support his family. He worked at the original Penn Dairies as a driver and at P.H. Glatfelter in the research lab. In 1968 Rod and his first wife Judith (Schell) Lehigh purchased the 200+ year old Eisenhart’s Mill at public sale for $8580.00 and moved his family from York to East Berlin with the plan to remodel the mill into a residence. After moving he left Penn Dairies and began his final career at Bowen McLaughlin York (BMY) as a welder.
Life at the mill was filled with working a full-time job while fitting in time to remodel the building. Multiple horses, steers and other livestock also demanded full attention but that did not mean there was not time for a little fun. As an avid motorcycle rider, he would take every opportunity to ride the bike to work…the ice did catch up with him again, but that is another story. Rod also slowed down and took time to trail ride the horses around the neighboring farmers’ fields and join his daughters at 4-H events. One winter the ice on the Conewago Creek froze thick enough the family rode the horses into town on the creek; it only happened one time, the ice was never thick enough again. Hurricane Agnes (1972) and Hurricane Elloise (1975) took its toll on all the work Rodney had accomplished at the mill. The mill was sold to the next owners in 1988 and Rod moved to his final home in York. Rod and Judith divorced in 1990 but remained lifelong friends.
Rod was known by many names and would answer to them all, depending on if you were one of the “kids,” one of the nieces, a friend or someone who knew him for years. His monikers included: Ralphie, Pud, Uncle Puddy, Pawpaw, Papaw, or Daddy.
Rod was a caring husband, loyal friend and loving brother, father, and grandfather. He spent hours teaching his daughters to be loving but self-sufficient and took the time to teach his grandson the art of woodcraft. He cherished the time he had with his family and friends.
Rod is survived by his children, Theresa Lehigh-Welsh of Lancaster and her stepchildren Cathy Wilkes of Spring Grove; Billy Jo Warner of Bainbridge, four step grandchildren and one step greatgrandchild; Michelle Lehigh of York; Patricia Lehigh of York; Stephanie Guynn of York and her children, Brandon Guynn of York; Ashley Guynn of York; Jasmine Dutton of York; Krystal Guynn of York and three great grandchildren. His stepchildren include Heather Proudfoot of Akron; Donna Nonnenmocher of Manheim; Eric Nonnenmocher of York; three step grandchildren and one step great grandchild. He is also survived by his sister Judith Shoff of Wrightsville.
His loving wife of 30 years, Darlene (Brumbach) Lehigh passed unexpectedly on June 3, 2024.
Rod was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Glenn Lehigh, David Lehigh, Robert Lehigh, Dorothy Sipe, Betty Young and Arlene Hoerner.
A celebration of life for Rodney will be held for the family at a later date .
Donations may be made to: Hospice & Community Care of Lancaster, 685 Good Drive, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604.
Cremation Services of Lancaster 717CREMATE