Theodore Lewis Lenker

LENKER Theodore “Ted” Lewis Lenker, 86, of Dublin, Ohio passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on December 22, 2012. He was born to the late William David and Flora (Shields) Lenker on May 4, 1926 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The youngest of eight children, Ted grew up working at the family dairy, Lenkerbrook Farms, in Harrisburg until he graduated from Hershey High School in 1943. At 17, he enlisted in the US Navy and served in the Pacific Theater on the USS Bancroft through the end of WWII. After leaving the service, he completed his degree at Gettysburg College where he won many wrestling championships, including the Middle Atlantics in 1947. In 1953 he began his career with ESSO (now ExxonMobil). In 1963, he joined the parent company in New York City and in 1966 was transferred with his family to London, England. In 1970 he returned to the States and settled in Columbus as Exxon’s District Manager for Ohio. In 1974, his career path changed when Jack Nicklaus hired him to be part of the development team for Muirfield Village in Dublin. He later founded the Muirfield Village Company and was its President and CEO until he retired in 2006. For 32 years, Ted developed, promoted, and sold Muirfield Village. Ted is preceded in death by his son Theodore L. Lenker Jr., and siblings John L. Lenker, Eleanor (Lenker) Cook, William D. Lenker, Ruth (Lenker) Hummer, David F. Lenker, and Jesse S. Lenker. Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Mildred (Wagner) Lenker; and son, Stephen C. Lenker and his wife Kelli; and six grandchildren, Amanda of Santa Monica, California, David, Craigen, Stephen II, Briton, and Kelle, all of Dublin, Ohio. Also surviving are his sister, Emily (Lenker) Long of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; sisters in-law, Nancy Lenker and Rachael Lenker and countless nieces and nephews. Ted was a member of Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, Muirfield Village Golf Club, the Athletic Club of Columbus, Sigma Chi Fraternity, and the Sons of the American Revolution. He was a past Trustee of The Country Club at Muirfield Village and past President and Trustee of the Muirfield Association, Inc. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on January 3, 2012 at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, 2300 Lytham Rd., Columbus, 43220. Guests will be greeted by the family in Fellowship Hall after the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Ted Lenker: Lutheran Social Services Food Pantry, 1460 S. Champion Ave., Columbus, Ohio, 43206 Attn. David Drumn. A private burial will be held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Arrangements are being made by the O.R. Woodyard Co. Northwest Chapel, Columbus, Ohio.
.Published in The Columbus Dispatch on December 30, 2012