Ken Lehr, GHS Auto Shop Teacher 1978-2004

For 26 years, Ken Lehr guided the GHS Auto Shop program into acclaim and modernization. Grossmont’s program was the first Auto Shop in California to be National Automotive Teachers Educational Foundation certified. Lovingly nicknamed “Dr. Motor” by his students, Ken was twice named California Master Teacher. Ken’s favorite quote was “What is the four stroke cycle?”

In June 2014, a bronze plaque dedicating the new state of the art Automotive Technology Facility to Ken was unveiled on an exterior wall of the building.   At the dedication,  Ken was celebrated by former students, students he mentored in the field, including Jordie Lehr, who followed Ken as the GHS Auto Shop teacher, as well as retirees and staff members.

As a colleague of Ken’s for 26 years, Connie remembers the refuge and “home” Ken provided for students who needed a safe haven as well as the “tough love” that Ken provided.  Lynn and I remember our dad Marlin Baer, after his retirement in 1983, substituting for Ken and thoroughly enjoying it and the program Ken had built.

The caption to the attached photo from the 1986 yearbook reads, “1986 Auto Shop Program was named "the model automotive site for the state of California" with teacher Ken Lehr”, demonstrating Ken's impact on the program.