Lynn Westerman

Lynn Ray Westerman
Born in Garfield, Utah on October 15, 1931
Departed on February 28, 2011
Laid to rest on March 3, 2011
And resided in Nashville, Tennessee
Visitation: Monday, March 7, 2011
Memorial Service: Monday, March 7, 2011
Cemetery: Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens
Westerman, Lynn Ray, Age 79 of Nashville, TN passed away February 28, 2011.
The second youngest of nine children, Lynn grew up in the mining community of Garfield, Utah, later moving to nearby Magna. With a family legacy of Mormon miners and ranchers, his parents strongly instilled in him the value of hard work, family, and duty to country. Lynn spent his youth exploring the mountains of Utah camping and hunting, and working on his older sibling's ranches. One summer in his early teens Lynn and a buddy ran away from home and worked on a rail laying crew for the Nevada Northern rail line in the Nevada desert. By all accounts, this adventure was short-lived, and by summer's end Lynn made a welcomed return home, never to lose his love of railroads. Aside from his oldest brother, who died from sepsis at age 17, all of Lynn's other four brothers served with distinction in the United States Armed Forces during World War II and the Korean War. In 1951 Lynn joined the U.S. Air Force and served four years with a special detachment whose mission was classified "Top Secret", to which Lynn had sworn an oath of secrecy for life. Thus typifying his character, Lynn never broke his oath to anyone.
While stationed at Clarksville Air Base in Fort Campbell, KY, before deployment overseas, Lynn met and soon married Willodean Ethridge, who was completing her nursing studies at the former Saint Thomas School of Nursing. Their early years involved Lynn completing his military duties and college education while Willodean pursued her nursing career and caring for their two children. Upon Lynn's graduation, holding a bachelors' degree in microbiology from the University of Tennessee, they settled in Nashville to raise their family. Lynn began a microbiology/bacteriology career with the State of Tennessee Department of Health, becoming the director of the virology unit. Lynn later partnered into a growing company for the development and manufacturing of contact lenses that successfully obtained FDA approval and a U.S. Patent for the manufacture of a soft lens made of a newly developed material and utilizing a special lathing process, which had never been accomplished by others until then.
Throughout his life, Lynn enjoyed the outdoors and pursued the satisfaction of being self sufficient in all endeavors. Lynn was a kind and caring man, who often quietly and generously assisted the least among us with a helping hand in ways that were far more than a handout at arm's reach. He loved to learn and he loved to teach, from how to pitch a tent to how to make his wonderful apple pancakes. He enjoyed the process of guiding others to discovering the best way to drive a tent stake and knowing just the right time to flip that pancake, all with the joy in knowing his "student" will one day experience the same delight in teaching others these same skills. Lynn's tender love of children was very special and children certainly took to him. He loved to play with and be taught by even the very smallest. He loved scouting, sports, animals, flowers, and music, and memories of him in these activities with his family and friends are abundant. He was always quick to share a laugh and never hesitant to offer a tender shoulder. Not one for the spotlight, he loved his family deeply and demonstrated his love and devotion in quiet and sincere ways.
A true friend to many, Lynn was well liked, appreciated, and respected for his knowledge and skills, for his wit, and for his delight in simple things. A keen observer and avid reader, his thirst for knowledge and discovery never diminished. Dad left his friends and family a beautiful gift - a legacy of humility, gratitude, and love.
Lynn is preceded in death by his father, Sidney Jonathan Westerman, and his mother, Mary Louise Sturm Westerman; five brothers, Don, Gale, Jack, Sam and Gene Westerman, and three sisters, Dorothy Henline, Afton Trueblood and Mildred Benson. He is survived by his children, Steven Lynn Westerman Elizabeth, and Lori Westerman Brooks Christopher; grandchildren, Scott Westerman Amy, Stephanie Brooks, Shannon Brooks; great-grandchildren, Luke Westerman, Caroline Westerman; numerous beloved nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, March 7, 2011 with The Reverend Stuart Gordon officiating at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home, 9090 Hwy 100, Nashville, TN 37221; 615 646-9292. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 5:00-7:00 p.m.