Posted July 26, 2024 in Weblog
In Memoriam: Justin Robert Lehman (July 17, 1981 – February 27, 2024)
By Daniel Worth, Nicole Smith, and Ian Thomas
In 2015, Justin Lehman utilized to take part in America Walks’ inaugural Strolling School program however he was not awarded a Fellowship. In 2016, he submitted one other utility – and obtained one other letter which began “With our regrets, …”.
Justin’s “downside” was that he was over-qualified! A Public Well being Program Administrator with the Pennsylvania Division of Well being, he had lately pioneered the “PA WalkWorks” initiative, via which strolling routes/applications had been created in dozens of communities throughout the Commonwealth, walkability assessments had been performed, and infrastructure plans had been developed. Justin was having a lot success with out taking part within the Strolling School, it didn’t make sense to award one of many restricted Fellowships to him.
As a substitute, America Walks launched a distinct kind of partnership with Justin and the Pennsylvania Division of Well being, by internet hosting a pair of “Collaborative Workshops on Walkable Communities” in 2016 and 2017 in Harrisburg. These occasions introduced collectively leaders and employees with 4 different state businesses (Departments of Growing older, Conservation and Pure Sources, Group and Financial Growth, and PennDOT) for high-level planning, together with quite a few non-government organizations (together with AARP Pennsylvania, the PA Downtown Heart, Recreation and Park Society, State Alliance of YMCAs, and American Coronary heart Affiliation).
Underneath Justin’s management, the newly-formed Pennsylvania Walkable Communities Collaborative developed and began to execute an formidable Motion Plan. Multi-Company Groups targeted on Analysis, Outreach and Communications, Group Capability-Constructing, and implementation of “PennDOT Connects” – Secretary Richards’ modern planning course of below which all PennDOT infrastructure initiatives have been re-evaluated to contemplate a variety of potential group advantages along with shifting site visitors. Eight years later, PennDOT Connects nonetheless leads the best way for different State Departments of Transportation who need to incorporate progressive values into their mission and imaginative and prescient.
Through the years, fourteen advocates from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have obtained Fellowships to the Nationwide Strolling School – greater than every other state. Throughout the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Justin continued his management by convening these Fellows on quarterly zoom calls to maintain the strolling motion in Pennsylvania on the forefront of their group targets. This initiative over a number of years supplied a possibility for the Fellows to construct new relationships and achieve extra data on walkability applications throughout the state. The power of that community contributed to Pennsylvania finally internet hosting its personal State Strolling School, via which seven extra Fellows graduated. These extremely skilled advocates have launched Strolling Motion Plans, that are making a distinction in communities as numerous as Philadelphia, Pottstown, and York.
Throughout the Pennsylvania State Strolling School in late 2023, one of many lasting recollections of Justin really showcased his dedication to public service past what’s historically seen. As this system was winding down, we hosted a stroll audit of Susquehanna Township, proper outdoors of Harrisburg. Though Justin was shifting on to a brand new position inside state authorities, everybody taking part within the audit was adamant that we invite him as a result of all of us had a lot respect for him. Justin gladly confirmed as much as a diner parking zone that morning, smiling, and energized to take part. For a few of us, it was the primary, and sadly the one time, we ever met him past a Zoom display screen.
Justin Robert Lehman handed away all of a sudden on February 27, 2024. All three of us knew him nicely via his reference to America Walks and his management in Pennsylvania. Justin’s imaginative and prescient and inspiration for strolling and walkability shall be sadly missed however his skilled legacy will stay on.
The Pennsylvania Downtown Heart has introduced the Justin R. Lehman Group Capability-Constructing Program for Growing Energetic Transportation Plans. And right here is his private obituary.
