Remembering George Leaman, 1906-2008
By Larry Zook
The Landis Homes community lost a dear brother and friend on Ascension Day 2008 when former Administrator George Leaman passed on to his heavenly home. At his memorial service held in West Bethany Chapel on May 6, 2008, many from his family and among the Landis Homes staff remembered George and his wife Grace as very gracious, caring servant leaders whose legacy lives on in the community today at Landis Homes.
A special memory that I have is being able to visit briefly with George along with chaplain Glenn Metzler a few days before his death, and being able to thank him for his love and service to so many residents and staff over the years, both as Administrator from the beginning of Landis Homes in 1964 through to his retirement in 1978, and then in the following years as he was an active volunteer and participant in community life.
Current resident A. Grace Wenger has given the gift of memory to the Landis Homes community by capturing the following excepted stories in the book, Landis Homes - The First Thirty Years:
Ninety-year old Henry Weber and his wife, Mary, the first residents of Landis Homes, moved into Unit A on February 18, 1964. Having chosen to pay $1,000 of the $4,000 entrance fee, they were charged $43 a month in addition to the basic rate of $100 a month per person. George and Grace Leaman, designated as superintendent and matron, had already moved from "The Dell," an attractive woodland home near Mount Joy, into one unit of a quadruplex, even though the interior was still unfinished and the floors bare. Until the first live-in workers arrived, the Leamans slept in the main building so the Webers would not be alone.
The decision to use asphalt tile in bedrooms and carpet in halls, lobbies and lounges caused an unexpected problem for the first administrator. When incoming residents asked for wall-to-wall carpeting in their rooms, George Leaman spent many days making doors a half-inch shorter to fit the carpet.
The Development of Staff and Admissions subcommittee drew up recommendations for needed staff, hiring policies, and staff housing. After a number of unfruitful leads, they were able to report to the Planning Committee on November 5, 1963, that George and Grace Leaman of Mount Joy had consented to be superintendent and matron. The superintendent's duties were listed as "general supervision, guest application, property maintenance, purchase of supplies and guest travel." The matron was to take charge of housekeeping, be responsible for kitchen and laundry and supervise guests and volunteers who helped in the home.
From the very first day, Landis Homes had a home-like environment, due to the warm-hearted leadership of George and Grace Leaman. George found he had to be janitor, maintenance man, chauffeur, admissions counselor, business manager, social worker and activities director.
Grace & George Leaman, 1965.
Fostering good feelings among residents was a priority for the Leamans.
On Monday morning, December 5, 1977, following Edward Longenecker's installation as administrator, George and Grace officially retired, although they continued to serve as volunteers for many years.
Attesting to the impact George had on their lives, a number of former Landis Homes employees were among those gathered in West Bethany Chapel to remember the person they called a mentor, friend and leader during his years as Administrator. According to Landis Homes records, there are eight staff persons currently employed who were hired by George.
Long before we placed our guiding values in writing, George, and his co-workers, like those serving in the ministry of Landis Homes today, lived out the values of Joy, Compassion, Integrity, Stewardship and Community. For the lasting legacy that George left through his servant leadership, we are grateful to God.
Link to George Leaman's Obituary in the Lancaster Newspapers
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