[1] Lichtenauer graduated in law from the University of Leiden in 1922, and then started as deputy secretary of the Rotterdam Chamber of Commerce.

Ten years later, he earned his doctorate in law cum laude from Leiden under Eduard Meijers with a dissertation entitled "De vernietigende verjaring en aanverwante rechtsfiguren beschouwd naar wezen, begrenzing en onderlinge verhouding."

In the Dutch Senate from 1956 to 1961, he dealt with transport and water management and economic issues.

He made significant contributions to Rotterdam in the fields of church, state, and society, and for culture and science.

[1] For his services, Lichtenauer was awarded the Laurenspenning [nl] in 1971, a high municipal honor from the city of Rotterdam.