Vaughn Lein Obituary

Community Says Fond Farewell to
VAUGHN LEIN

With heavy hearts, we said farewell to Vaughn Lein, age 74, Sept. 24, 2021.
He was a true gentleman, as genuine as they come; an earnest, kind, and thoughtful person, wholly committed to doing the right thing; a servant of his community and his family.
Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with his wife of 48 years, Barbara, sons Jon and Justin, grandsons Jacob, Aaron, and Elias, and siblings Ardith and Darrel.
A true local, he attended Camas High School and went on to study architecture at Washington State University. After graduating, he would venture to Medford, OR, for a brief stint with the Oregon State Highway Department. He would ultimately be called back home, where his professional and personal aspirations would find purpose through architecture.
As a founding principal at LSW Architects, Vaughn dedicated his immense creative gifts to designing schools and public spaces that would add value to Vancouver, and to building positive, meaningful relationships that would outlast any project. Across generations, all who worked with Vaughn knew him to be a mentor who led with kindness and humility, and a constant learner.
He played many roles within the community, generously devoting his time to school and civic projects, boards, organizations, and committees, always with a mindset to learn, grow, and connect with people. Some of these commitments included his governor’s appointment to the initial Columbia River Gorge Commission, the Southwest Washington Community Foundation, the Vancouver Public Schools Foundation, the Clark County Planning Commission the Vancouver Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and the American Institute of Architects - Washington Council.
Vaughn loved his family and each place they called home. He always designing, carrying out improvements, and helping Barbara with her flower gardens.
For those of us who knew were lucky enough to know Vaughn, we will continue to be inspired by his life. Vaughn had the unique ability to engage others in a caring and respectful way that would lead us to understand how our own gifts, talents and abilities can contribute in a visionary way to our community.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, reference “LSW Educational Scholarship Fund Vaughn Lein” in the memo line.
Checks can be delivered or mailed to 610 Esther Street, Suite 201, Vancouver, WA, 98660.
Vaughn’s memorial service is being planned for 12 noon, Nov. 18, at Propstra Square in the Esther Short Park.
Please share a memory @ www.columbian.com/obits