Robert "Bob" Sherman Lerner - Cremation Society of Virginia

Robert "Bob" Sherman Lerner

November 6, 1926 - January 28, 2019

Robert attended St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield Wisconson, from which he graduated in 1944. After graduation he entered the U.S. Army, seeing World War II as a military policeman in occupied Germany. After the end of the war in September of 1945, he returned to the states and began work as a photography assistant in Chicago. On September 25, 1948, he married the love of his life, Bedane “Dainie” Hiken. In 1949, Bob and Dainie moved to post war Paris where he built his portfolio with images of Parisian life that many believe to be some of his best work. Upon their return to Chicago after a year in Paris, this portfolio helped Bob to land a job with Look magazine as a staff photographer. His work with Look on worldwide assignments would continue for the next 20 years, after which, he enjoyed success as a freelance photographer, speaker, educator and mentor to many budding photographers. Bob felt very strongly the need to “give back” as he had enjoyed the guidance and tutelage of renowned photography professionals throughout his own career. Together, Dainie and Bob had three girls and a son. They enjoyed golf, gardening, and traveling together as well as spending time with family and friends.

Left to honor and carry on his legacy are Bob’s three daughters and their husbands, Irene and Charles Looney, Laura and Jim Shiplett, and Sally and Michael Lindsay; nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Sylvia and Clarissa (Cookie), his beloved wife Dainie and his son David.

Bob will be remembered as a loving father and grandfather, a good friend and amazing photographer and mentor.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Yorktown Freight Shed, 331 Water ST, Yorktown VA 23690 on Saturday February 23^rd beginning at 1:00 PM. Bob generously gave to many charities but his two favorites were St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html) and Disabled American Veterans (https://secure.dav.org/site/Donation2?df_id=17643&mfc_pref=T&17643.donation=form1 ).

In Lieu of flowers or other remembrances please consider donating to one of these fine charities or the charity of your choice in Bob’s name.

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Robert (Bob) Sherman Lerner, age 92, passed away at his home in Yorktown, surrounded by his loving daughters on Monday, January 28, 2019. He was born on November 6, 1926 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Lee and Lily Lerner. Robert attended St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield Wisconson, from which he graduated in 1944. After graduation…

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Jimmy and I were very honored to meet Bob Lerner at our place of business, Hang It Up Picture Framing, where we had an opportunity to talk with him about his great adventures during his life! Am so happy that we had taken some photos with Bob and will treasure them always! So proud to have met such a great legend and those treasured photos bring us many happy memories! We extend our deepest sympathy to his family and "May his memory be Eternal"!!! Jimmy and Flossie

For more than three decades Bob Lerner was a active part of my photojournalism career. First as motivational instructor, then formative mentor, "editor" and partner in Boys and Girls Club photo project, eventually workshop faculty teammate, and confidant. Our collaboration and visits over the years always included hours of conversation over new prints of rediscovered favorites, critiques of recent work and inspirational ideas. Always ending as our recent phone call with his encouragement to keep "seeing" opportunities to make pictures. I am honored to have shared professional fellowship, but most of all I am blessed by our long friendship. He is fondly remembered. Thank you Bob.

Bob Lerner was an amazing man, talented photographer and generous mentor. Over a number of visits the last few years, I interviewed him for several published stories and to talk about his life story and pictures that he was working on. He used to ask me why I found him so fascinating. My standard answer was always this, “Bob, you went with Dick Van Dyke to hear Walt Disney play and sing the songs that Dick was going to be performing in the Mary Poppins movie.“ To me that placed him in history and was proof of what a treasure he was, and is, as he lives on through his photography. Walking into his home was like walking into an art gallery: Robert Frost, Jimmy Durante, Donald Sutherland, Mia Farrow, a small girl on a Paris Street holding a ball, and more photos on his walks than you could ever hope to see outside of a museum. I will never forget visiting the fountain in Chicago where Bob took one of his most iconic photographs, “Fancy Free”, of two dancers with the Chicago skyline in the background. We both got such a kick out of how things have changed since he took that photograph. I will miss you Bob and I will always hold a special place in my heart remembering the times we spent together. Much love.

I will miss our talks. Thank you Bob. Our world is a bit dimmer without you.

Met Bob through a class he taught at the Chrysler Museum. Without a doubt one of the kindest, most generous and inspiring teachers ive ever had..my wishes for peace and comfort to his family, his passing is a loss for all.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

You will always be one of my best friends and I will miss you so much. I will keep my eyes peeled for beautiful light in your honor. Love you “Lerner” .

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.