George Lehrer

George Lehrer (stage name Norman Lane) was born and raised in Sandusky, Ohio. It was there that he met and married Catherine Rickenbaugh, the mother of his four children (3 sons, 1 daughter). His grandfather, George Lehrer, was the first in the family to emmigrate from Germany, and became the first minister at Sandusky's oldest Lutheran Church. His son, George, became the City Manager of Sandusky, and it was HIS son George that ventured to Hollywood with his family. Before moving to California, in 1927 and 28 George directed the first two plays at what has become Ohio's oldest continually existing community theatre, Harlequins, Inc. It is still located in an old coachhouse in Sandusky, and is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Upon his return to Sandusky, Ohio in 1941, he spent the rest of his life working in various venues. One of his best known roles was that of Abraham Lincoln, whom he impersonated in a one-man show throughout Ohio. George Lehrer died in the summer of 1966 from complications of cancer. He was survived by his wife, 4 children, and 9 grandchildren. (3 more grandchildren were born after his death, and now he has many great-grandchildren.)