Lynn Lehmann
I want to share an experience to let you know how loving and generous a man Art was. In 1975 we were a fairly newly married naive couple but were lucky enough to buy a lot in San Jose, California, and could proceed with building a home with 100% financing. Although we had a contractor, we knew Art was a licensed electrician, so I contacted Eloise and put forth the idea: "Could/would Art be interested in wiring our 4 bedroom, 3 bath home? It's way up here in San Jose, so it'd be quite a drive, but any chance?"
Much to our delight, Art said, "Yes", and before we knew it, Art and Eloise had loaded up their station-way with so much electrical paraphernalia that the bottom of the back of the car was just inches off the street. When they finally got to our house more than 450 miles north in San Jose, I was worried they and the station way had "had it", and all would require help and rejuvenation!
However, all went off like clockwork, and Eloise and Art were quite the team stringing wire throughout the framing, threading it through the woodwork, and eventually, "connecting the dots" as they say, and suddenly, we had wonderful, completely correct and helpful electrical system all through our dream home! It was a miracle to me how thorough Art and Eloise were in their initial planning of what inventory to bring. They had brought all the correct parts and miraculously, everything was special and worked. I don't think they had to make one stop at a store for any forgotten piece.
Art was quite a guy! Can you imagine an individual making such a trek to help a friend? I thought it went above and beyond any call of duty. I just wish we hadn't been so naive money-wise to understand the price such a job and trek should cost. I'm afraid we way underpaid Art and Eloise for their sacrifice to help us get wired! They never complained or made any mention of it, but I still feel like I owe them at least $1,000 for their time, wear and tear, talent, car expense,and electrical parts!
Art was very friendly to us and so very special and helpful. I will never forget his generosity in making that San Diego to San Jose, CA trek to wire our new house, now close to 50 years old, still unique!
God Bless Art! And Eloise! Very special people God has blessed with love and generosity!
Love and Prayers from Lynn Lehmann
