ATTORNEY FINCH DIES AT AGE 75

Lehman Finch, a prominent Cape Girardeau attorney and civic leader, died at 9:22 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, 1991, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Finch, 75, resided on Terry Hill Road.

Finch was senior partner of Finch, Bradshaw, Strom and Steele, which his father, James A Finch Jr., founded as Finch and Finch Law Firm in the early 1900s.

A colleague said Finch was "one of the finest business and corporate lawyers in Southeast Missouri.

"He had a tremendous intellect," said Richard G. Steele, a partner at the firm, who has worked with Finch since 1970. "He had the ability to analyze a situation from a legal point of view better than practically anyone I've ever known."

Steele said Finch had tried a court case as recently as Aug. 13. He said Finch's death represented a loss to the firm.

"Finch was a first-class sort of fellow. He had a real presence about him," Steele said.

Others who knew him said Finch will be remembered as a role model for future generations. U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, and U.S. Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond, R-Missouri, were among those who knew him.

Emerson said: "He was a giant in so many arenas law, business, civic and political. Lehman Finch cannot be replaced, but he will serve for generations to come as a role model to be emulated."

Bond said Finch will be remembered as a gentleman and scholar. He said Finch was "a virtuous professional with an insatiable desire to achieve the utmost with his God-given talents. We will always cherish and remember his friendship."

Finch was born July 8, 1916, at Fornfelt, son of James A. and Carrie Lehman Finch. He and Dolores Catherine Drewes were married July 3, 1962, in St. Louis.

He graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School in 1933, and attended Southeast Missouri State University. He received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1937, and a law degree in 1940 from the university.

He entered Finch and Finch Law Firm with his father and brother, James A. Finch, in 1940. He became the senior partner after his father's death and his brother's appointment to the Missouri Supreme Court. The firm is now known as Finch, Bradshaw, Strom and Steele.

Finch was a founding investor in AmeriFirst Bank of Cape Girardeau, and served as chairman of the board at the time of his death.

In September 1953, he was elected a member of the Board of Directors of First National Bank, which later became Centerre Bank. He served on the bank boards for 33 years, and was honored by Centerre for his service in December 1986.

Finch also had been vice president of Southeast Lumber Co., secretary-treasurer of Jackson Lumber Co., vice president and counsel of Moon Distributing Co., Star Distributing Co., and Mid-State Distributing Co. of Columbia. He was a licensed pilot.

He served by appointment of former governor Bond as a member of the Environmental Improvement Authority from 1981-87, and was chairman from 1984-87. He also served for many years as chairman of the Board of Trustees and president of the Board of Governors of the Cape Girardeau Country Club.

Finch was a fellow in the American Bar, and a member of the Missouri Bar, American Judicature Society, and Cape Girardeau County Bar, of which he served as president in 1957-58.

Finch was known for his unmatched skill at fund raising for the charitable, educational and political causes he supported. He chaired numerous fund-raising efforts for development of Southeast Missouri Hospital, serving on its board of directors from 1955-61 and 1965-78. He had been an honorary member since that time. He also had hosted many fund-raisers for state and national political campaigns. Among those benefiting from Finch's efforts were Bond, Gov. John Ashcroft and Emerson.

Finch was a major contributor to the University of Missouri and its School of Law. He was honored by induction into its Jefferson Society.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, and a member of the Lions Club for 46 years, serving as president during 1955-56. He was also past-president of Cape Girardeau County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Finch was also a supporter of the Southeast Missouri State University Booster Club. He served as a lieutenant in the Coast Guard from 1942-45.

Survivors include his wife; four sons, Charles Finch of San Diego, Calif., and Daniel, William and Jonathan Finch, all of Cape Girardeau; three daughters, Nadean Hampton of Dallas, Texas, and Christy Dubs and Jan Finch, both of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Kathryn Tolliver of Cape Girardeau; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

His mother also preceded him in death.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Charles Grant will officiate, with burial in Memorial Park.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel from 4-8 p.m. today.