F. Vern Lahart

F. Vern Lahart, 87, of Manitowish Waters (WI) and Vero Beach (FL) passed away unexpectedly on October 29, 2015, at home in Florida less than two weeks after his wife Eileen succumbed to her year-long fight with lung cancer. Born in Baltimore, MD, and raised in Chicago, he attended St. Timothy's Grade School, Loyola Academy, and received an athletic scholarship affording him the opportunity to attend Loyola University and Loyola School of Law. After law school, Vern was commissioned in the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps and was stationed in Virginia. He was honorably discharged in 1954 as a first lieutenant. While he was in the Washington DC area he met a beautiful senior at Trinity College, and Eileen and he were engaged before her graduation. Moving to Vern's native Chicago after their marriage on October 9, 1954, they raised four children in Des Plaines and then in Winnetka. Vern worked for over twenty years as a patent, copyright, trademark lawyer with Brown, Jackson, Boettcher & Dienner. After a merger, the firm became Emrich & Dithmar LLC. In 1975 Vern left the partnership in the law firm and went to work with Dick Leach, a college friend, as president and CEO of DLM, a printing and publishing company, later known as RCL Enterprises which created and produced Barney & Friends along with a variety of Catholic media. Vern and Eileen moved to Lucas, Texas in 1980 when Vern's firm relocated south. Vern was active in the community, serving on many local boards and co-chairing the effort to raise funds for the newly constructed library in Allen, Texas. He and Eileen were also very involved as founding members of St. Jude's Catholic Church in Allen. When Vern retired in 1995, Eileen and Vern split their time between their Island Lake home in Manitowish Waters and the beachfront in Vero Beach enjoying the sounds and the visions of the water. Vern is preceded in death by his wife Eileen, parents Stanley and Margaret (nee Byrne), his brother Joe and his wife Betty Lahart, and sister-in-law Jeanne Prout. Vern is survived by his four children and spouses: Chris and Irene (Houston), Nancy and Jim Fleming (Lincoln, MA), Dan (Houston), and Mike and Todd (Norfolk, CT). Surviving also are nine grandchildren: Matt (Caroline), Andrew, Natalye, Eric and Kenny Lahart; Amie, Maggie and Ryan Fleming; and Audrey Lahart Johnson. Vern is also survived by his brother Dick and his wife Toni, his brother-in-law Frank Prout, and many loving nieces and nephews. A Hall of Fame track athlete at Loyola University, Vern remained very involved at the Law School establishing the Lahart/Leach Scholarship to be awarded to a part-time evening student. Vern was awarded the University's highest honor, The Damen Award, in 2011. Vern never met a stranger. He knew people wherever he went, made friends easily, and had the respect of all who knew him. Vern especially enjoyed his breakfast club in Manitowish Waters bringing home the morning paper and the news of the town. The Lahart family would like to thank the many people who have supported us in these difficult recent weeks as we lost both of our parents. Vern was very grateful to the many people who traveled great distances to be with us for Eileen's funeral earlier this month. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Lahart/Leach Scholarship at Loyola University School of Law (25 East Pearson Street, Chicago, IL 60611), the Frank Koller Library, (Box 100, US 51, Manitowish Waters, WI 54545), or the charity of your choice. Friends are welcome to gather at home (12535 Rice Bay Lane (often referred to electronically as 12431 Fallon Road), Manitowish Waters) Friday evening (November 6) beginning at 5:00 PM. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated by Fr. Dan Lahart, SJ, at 10:00 AM on Saturday at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 5610 US Hwy 51, Manitowish Waters, with burial to follow at Pine Lawn Cemetery on Channel Road.