Reeves D. Lehmann

Reeves D. Lehmann passed away Friday at the age of 74 after a long illness.  He was the first baby born in Nassau County in 1948 to the late James and Jacqueline Lehmann.  He received a BFA from the School of Visual Arts, entering the film industry and winning multiple national and international awards at various film festivals.  He eventually returned to chair SVA’s film department, later founding the school’s animation department.  Mr. Lehmann grew both into world renowned degree programs and retired in 2017.

Reeves joined the military in 1965, enlisting in the Marines Corps and serving a combat tour of duty in Vietnam in 1968. A proud marine, he was also very conflicted about the horrors of war and was vehemently opposed to armed conflicts.  Mr. Lehmann often discussed the toughness and character of the marines but was undoubtedly changed by his in-country experiences.  He later explored these themes in a short film about war, ‘The Landscaper’s Daughter’, placing well in a few small film festivals.  He later expanded the short film into a feature length script.

Reeves was an educator and relationship builder.  One of his passions was connecting his students to professionals across all sectors of the film and animation industries.  He created an end of the year film awards program for his students named ‘The Dusty’s, honoring SVA’s founder and Mr. Lehmann’s late mentor, Silas Rhodes {Dusty was Mr. Rhodes nickname in the military).   As a way to honor the graduating classes, renowned filmmakers presented achievement awards to the aspiring filmmakers, providing connections to the industry long after graduation.

Mr. Lehmann enjoyed traveling, both for business and pleasure and his favorite place to visit was Israel.  Reeves also enjoyed fishing with his children and grandchildren in both Moriches Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, always trying to catch the big one that got away.

Reeves is survived by his partner and dear friend Marion Lehmann; his son Zachary (Christina) Lehmann; his daughter Meaghan (Michael) Hesekiel; his grandchildren Eliza, Nolan, Ryan, Hazel and Bellamy; and his brother Craig (Susan) Lehmann and nephews Aaron Lehmann and Jason (Kathleen) Lehmann.  He is preceded in death by his brother James Lehmann and his sister, Lynne Robinson.

In Lieu of Flowers

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