Fr. Tony Lehmann passed away today.
Known to most Gonzaga alumni as “the basketball priest,” I knew him best as the alumni chaplain while I worked at the Alumni Office as a workstudy. He was always quick with a joke or a story whenever he was actually in the office. Due to his popularity, he was often out of the office performing weddings, baptisms, funerals, or cheering on the Zags at the basketball games. About a third of the mail that came into the office was for him, and there was a special chair in his office where it needed to go. He had one of the messiest offices I’ve ever seen, but he still seemed to know where everything was. I remember being in his office one time for a chat and there was barely any place to stand, much less to sit. A lot of the items were special remembrances from students and alumni whose lives he touched.
I watched the KHQ-TV feature story on Father Tony yesterday, and it was amazing how gaunt he looked in the interview. He wouldn’t let anyone take away his Gonzaga ball cap, though!
I’m going out for a cigar and a pint after work tonight and I’ll be sure to raise my glass to the memory of Fr. Tony.