In Memoriam: Lawrence Lindemer

Lawrence Boyd Lindemer, 98, died May 21 at Silver Maples of Chelsea under the care of the staff and Arbor Hospice.

A native of Syracuse, N.Y., Lindemer married Rebecca Mead Gale in 1941 and moved to her family’s farm near Stockbridge. He transferred from Hamilton College in New York to the University of Michigan where he graduated with an A.B. degree in 1943. Lindemer and Becky made Stockbridge their home for 50 years and raised their sons, Larry Jr. and David, there. Following Becky’s death in 1991, Lindemer married Jean Backus; following her death he moved into Silver Maples in 2012.

After serving as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Force in WW II, Lindemer received a law degree from the University of Michigan and started practice in 1949. He served as assistant prosecuting attorney for Ingham County in 1949 and 1950. In 1950 he was elected to the Michigan State House of Representatives. He served on the Hoover Commission from 1953 until 1955.

Returning to Michigan in 1955, he joined the Lansing law firm of Foster, Foster, and Campbell. He was chair of the Michigan Republican Party from 1957 to 1961. He served on the University of Michigan Board of Regents from 1969 to 1975, and in 1975 Gov. Milliken appointed him to the Michigan Supreme Court. Lindemer subsequently worked as general counsel for Consumers Power Company and was later employed with the law firm of Foster, Swift, Collins, and Smith PC.

The family will share a private memorial celebration of Lindemer’s life at a later date.

For those wishing to make memorial donations, the family suggests local food banks or another local charity of choice.