Herbert H. Lehman, the grand old man of New York politics, died yesterday of a heart attack in his eighty-fifth year. At the time of his death Lehman, former senator and four-time Governor, was about to leave for Washington where President Johnson was to honor him with a Freedom Award.

News of his passing brought expressions of sorrow from both national and New York political leaders. President Johnson, once Lehman's colleague in the Senate, called him "a distinguished leader who ably and efficiently served his state and nation." Several of his closest New York associates, including Mayor Wagner, expressed great sorrow and deep shock at his sudden death. Lehman, despite his advanced years, had been in vigorous good health.

Abandoning his business career at 50, Lehman devoted the remainder of his life to public service. Always a supporter of liberal causes, he entered polities in 1923 as Roosevelt's lieuteant Governor and succeeded him as Governor in 1932. Roosevelt referred to him as "my good right arm." In 1942 he became director of the State Department's foreign relief and rehabilitation operations, then United Nations' relief administrator, and in 1949 he was elected to the United States Senate. There held the fight against Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Led Reform Movement

The most dramatic part of his career came after his retirement from the Senate in 1957, when he and Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt spearheaded the drive 'to reform New York's Democratic Party. In 1961, at the age of 33, he campaigned actively against Carmine DeSapio and the other party bossed, speaking from sound trucks and touring the city on foot in the middle of a hot summer. Even after achieving victory, he continued to guide New York's reform movement and act as the state's political conscience until his death.

Governor Lehman is survived by his wife, the former Edith Altschul, and two children, John R. and Hilda Paul.