Back in the United States after the outbreak of World War II, they spent another year at Lehigh before returning to Berkeley in 1940. Emma Lehmer did not teach throughout this period as university rules prevented a husband and wife teaching in the same Department.
Bumalik sa Pilipinas matapos ang pag-aalsa ng World War II, sila na ginugol ng isa pang taon at Lehigh bago sa pagbalik sa Berkeley sa 1940. Emma Lehmer hindi magturo sa buong panahong ito bilang unibersidad patakaran maiiwasan ng isang asawa at asawa pagtuturo sa parehong Department.