Hadrian B. Lechner

In Memoriam: H. B. Lechner (1920-2014)

Hadrian Blair Lechner was born August 2, 1920 at West Salem, Illinois. He was the firstborn of Rev. Albert Lloyd Lechner and Iva Vandetta Sharp. He graduated from Pontiac (Michigan) High School in June 1937. He attended Spring Arbor Junior College (1937-1939) and Michigan State Normal College (1942-1943), receiving a B.A. from the latter in February 1944.

Hadrian enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve in July 1942. He was commissioned an Ensign in December 1943. After being trained as an electronics officer, he served in the Atlantic theater during World War II. He was honorably discharged in September 1946 with the rank of Lieutenant, Junior Grade.

Hadrian married Mary Margaret Sumner on June 15, 1946. They settled in Quincy, Massachusetts. Both began graduate studies at Boston University. Hadrian received an M.A. in physics in 1948. During his professional career he was employed by Eastman Kodak and by Bausch & Lomb Corporation, where he authored two United States patents for zoom telephoto lenses. He also taught at Eastern Nazarene College, at Roberts Wesleyan College, and at Rochester Institute of Technology.

He was a faithful member of Pearce Memorial Church, where he sang in the sanctuary choir, served on the Board of Trustees, and assisted with the library and the tape ministry.

Hadrian passed away December 23, 2014 after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty years; by his brother Myron; and by his sister Eleanor Burr. He is survived by his sister Grace Ryerson; his sons Joseph and Jonathan; grandchildren Paul, Dawn and Sarah; and great-granddaughter Kaleia.

A celebration of his life will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Pearce Memorial Church, 4322 Buffalo Road, North Chili. In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make a memorial contribution to Free Methodist World Missions.