It was Spring 2020. The world was isolated, maddening, pained.
Like many, I found myself behind a screen, searching for connection and meaning. That’s when I enrolled in Lee’s “TED Talks” course. A class designed for live audiences, now transformed by necessity into a weekly Zoom ritual.
Let me take you back to what was my final quarter of a three-year Evening MBA program. Each week, I would prepare a speech, imagining the energy of a crowd, but instead, I faced a grid of muted faces. It could have felt empty. But Lee had other ideas. He made the virtual classroom come alive. He taught us that the power of an idea isn’t diminished by virtual worlds; in fact, it can be amplified.
Lee’s critiques were rich. Fundamental. So much more than technique. He challenged me to layer my words with rhythm, to create intimacy (even through a low-res webcam), and to treasure the gift of the idea. He showed me that speechwriting isn’t just about quality content and humorous delivery. It was about connection.
When I was invited to speak at my MBA graduation, Lee didn’t hesitate. He offered his time, his wisdom, and his encouragement. He coached me to find my authentic voice, even when the world felt like it was loud enough to deafen every voice.
My only regret? I never met Lee in person. But his impact was real. He taught me that connection transcends format, and that generosity leaves a legacy. Today, I want to share his lessons with others, striving to make every idea a gift, just as he did.
Thank you, Lee.
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He was an amazing teacher that taught me a lot about confidence, and I was extremely saddened to hear about his passing. Foster students will remember him.
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Lee was my favorite teacher in all of Foster. I took his class my first quarter at UW and the impression he left on me, both academically and personally, was unforgettable. He helped me get through tough quarters by applying what I've learned from him. He always showed up on class and was willing to set aside time outside os his working hours to help his students. I was one of them. It's not an understatement when I say I won't be where I am today if I didn't take his class and met him. Gone too soon. My condolences to family and friends 🤍
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I first met and got to know Lee trying to figure out a story-telling series on clean energy and climate progress in the PNW. His passion, insight, humor and curiosity were contagious. He was very committed to sustainability and it was also then a joy to get to know Leah too. This is hard news, to hear he is gone.
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So deeply saddened by a bright light turned off way too soon. Lee was the epitome of a “good guy.” Always made himself available for a chat, a beer, or even recording a narration track for a friend with a tight budget. He’s also the first guy my wife and kids ask about as we start a new softball season every May. He was a tractor beam on all of us that got to spend time around him. Loved his presence and his bright blue eyes full of wonder and engagement. He will be so very missed.
Hear that buttery voice live on here: https://youtu.be/gpFCqsoDIp8?si=htVZwTfa4J4H2kij
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Saddened beyond words to hear of Lee's passing. Six years ago he became my mentor and "fast friend." Lee made every conversation more of an event from which I would glean advice, become better equipped to teach, and truly feel like part of a team. Lee made everybody in the room feel like they were the only person in his world at that moment.
Lee's professional accomplishments - first as a caring and dedicated broadcaster, then a caring and consummate professor - speak for themselves. Yet his love for family and loyalty to countless friends speak even louder. Lee's legacy is wonderfully reflected in those closest to him, especially through his children to whom I extend my deepest condolences.
Lee was a warm and decent gentleman which is how he will always live in my memory.
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Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain. In the summer of 1979 Lee and I drove from Chicago to the West Coast listening to Uncle Willie’s lyrics. A road trip to graduate school, to an unknown shore and “to look for America”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo2ZsAOlvEM When not listening to Willie or other anthems of the day. Lee would maniacally sample the local fare of radio stations.
Our ride was a 1960s vintage, fire engine red, big boat of a car. A Ford Galaxie?https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4c/8b/ca/4c8bcaa3c6f91862ffe60d8e839b29c9.jpg The car was armored with heavy-duty made in America steel. It had the heft of a small truck. It had a huge engine, a huge trunk and it was a huge gas guzzler. But it was no clunker. Lee’s dad, Sid, like the caring father he was had upgraded and fine-tuned the engine for our trip. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6Ggp3TJjuE
We cruised through Wisconsin’s dairy farms, amber fields of grain, the big sky country, the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, the basin and range and Lake Tahoe before arriving in the Bay Area. We were kicked out of only one campground. It seems that you must pay the camping fee BEFORE you enter the campground, not AFTER you enter with your headlights turned off. ($4 was real money!)
It was a great adventure. It is now some forty-five years later. Today I think of Lee, eyes crying in the rain and a not so little, sturdy red car that could. https://www.youtube.com/watch…
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Unfortunately I will not be able to make the celebration. I have known Lee for these umpteen years as a teammate on the MI Rockers. He loved softball, was an excellent player and was always striving to improve. In the one game he played this year he made the catch of the day with a sliding grab in the outfield. He also holds the record for the longest home run in Rockers' history from a few years back. There are many other stories but what I will remember most is his quiet friendliness in the dugout, part of glue that held the team together and made softball so enjoyable.
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I am so sorry to miss this celebration. I share his passion for sports i. general and softball in particular. He was such good people, I feel so honored to have shared space with him on the field. He will be remembered in every game I play and he will be missed in countless ways by so many.
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I first met Lee 3 years ago when I started playing senior coed softball with him. Even though I did not know anyone and had not played softball in 30 years, Lee made me feel at ease, and I immediately felt connected with Lee because of his casual communication style, down-to-earth attitude, willingness to help me, and that he was very proud to drive a non-pretentious old Volvo that was likely as old as me. Over the past 2 years, I feel fortunate to have had many deep and meaningful conversations with Lee about each other's diverse work histories, life, softball, and just friendship. Lee's unique personality and style was a perfect match for our mutual friendship. I will truly miss having a couple of casual beers with Lee on his deck, just telling stories.
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I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Lee while he was at Rice and part of KTRU. He was always a good friend during those years and I remember his kindness the most.
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When Nancy brought Lee into our lives, we created an instant and wonderful connection and began calling him “Uncle Lee” from day one. Great topics, overflowing conversation, abundant curiosity and smiles and warmth were always present with Lee. He connected with our young adult children with ease. He was so easily welcomed in as a cousin to our treasured cousin gatherings When we gather together again, he is a treasure that will be so very missed.
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I am so devastated to hear about Lee's passing. He was so nice and so thoughtful. He coached me for a TED-Talk type of presentation in 2022 and his genius and commitment to using it to help people really showed through. I thought we would run my presentation once and be done, but he sat there with me for three and a half hours as I ran it three times and he gave me 30+ minutes of feedback each time. He had so much love and care. What a huge loss for our department, students, and school. I wanted to take his MBA course, partly to be able to hang out with him more. This is just so sad. My best wishes to all his family members and friends.
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To my cousins. As I read about Lee's amazing accomplishments and his love of family and life, I'm sad that I didn't take the time to know my cousin better in his lifetime. He was a wonderful man and my heart goes out to ya'all during this sad time. Rest in Paradise my cousin. 🙏
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Lee was a good friend and a wonderful journalist and teacher. His memory is indeed a blessing.
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