We mourn the passing of Robert Lewis “Bob” Lee who died on Feb. 5, 2013 after a brief illness.
He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce (Goelz) in 2010, and elder brothers Donald and Richard.
He is survived by sons, Eric and Karl (Roberta); Donald’s son, Bruce; and Richard’s daughter, Diane (Jones).
Bob was born in Whitewater, Wis. on May 1, 1924 to Henry and Emma (Borgen) Lee.
In high school, he met his future wife, Joyce, the youngest daughter of Elmore and Selma (Syvertson) Goelz.
He loved music and was an accomplished clarinetist in high school. He joined the Navy in 1943, and was stationed in Sicily, Italy, with Navy Band #70, playing in marching, concert, and swing bands in southern Europe. The music and warmth of Italy and its people left a deep impression on him.
Bob returned from military service in 1946 and completed bachelor and master’s degrees in music at Northwestern University, finishing in 1949.
In 1949 he and Joyce married and embarked on teaching careers in Michigan where, in 1951, their first son, Eric, was born.
In 1953 they left the Midwest for California, where Bob taught music in Soledad from 1953-54. After living in Watsonville, where second son, Karl, was born, and Salinas, they settled in Monterey.
Between 1956 and 1984, with a group of other teachers, Bob developed very successful music programs in the Pacific Grove public schools. He is still remembered by many students whose lives were enriched by the program.
Bob was principal clarinet in the Monterey County Symphony from the 1960s to the 1970s.
In the 1969-70 school year the Pacific Grove School District supported a sabbatical for Bob to study music education in Europe. He and his family traveled for a year in VW camper. This was a landmark event in Bob’s life.
Bob and Joyce took to retirement easily, volunteering in their community, traveling and spending time with family. They moved from Monterey to Salinas in 1976.
In 1995 they moved to the Portland, Ore. area where their son Karl lived, and settled in King City. They continued volunteer activities including Meals On Wheels, and were active in the Senior Studies Institute, with ongoing education and lively discussion.
Following Joyce’s death in 2010, Bob moved to Rose Villa, a senior community in Milwaukie, adjacent to Portland. Bob was a cornerstone of the community, active on committees, playing in musical groups, and involved in cultural outings with friends.
He will be missed by many of the residents and staff, and especially his good friend Lois Raynis.
Bob will be remembered not only by what he did, but also for who he was, and his ability to move through life’s changes with grace, gratitude, and generosity.
There will be a celebration of his life June 9 at Rose Villa.
Davies Cremation and Burial, Vancouver, Wash., assisted the family.
