Bob Lee 02/18/1924 - 10/31/2003
Bob Lee in Chancery Office, Landers Building, Springfield, MO, circa 1969
Robert Graham Lee, Sr., passed away unexpectedly on October 31, 2003 at Cox South Hospital. Born on February 18, 1924, Bob is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Lou, their ten children: Bob, Jim, Tom, Mary, Carol, Jane, John, Ed, Ellen, Joan and their spouses. Fifteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren also survive him.
A decorated World War II veteran who fought in the great battle of Pismo Beach, Bob was in the newspaper and publishing business all his life. A prolific reader and thinker, Bob authored numerous books, articles and pamphlets. He was an editor and publisher for The Queen’s Work, a Jesuit publishing house and Ligouri Publications, a Redemptorist publishing house. He was the founding editor of The Mirror, the Catholic newspaper for the diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.
He did not want a list of his accomplishments (of which there were many) in his obituary. Instead he wanted everyone to know he loved his wife, he loved his children, he loved his grandchildren, he loved his great-grandchildren and he loved his friends, of whom there were many.
Bob was proud that all of his children believe, as he did, that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and kindness. He didn’t tolerate mendacity very well. He had a well-developed sense of humor.
After Bob retired, he and Mary Lou enjoyed traveling and their cabin in Rockaway Beach. Bob especially enjoyed the companionship of his good friend, Fr. Bob Landewe.
Bob donated his organs so that others might improve the quality of their lives.
A memorial mass for Bob will be celebrated at St. Agnes Cathedral, Springfield, MO, on Monday, November 3, at 1 p.m., followed by a celebration of Bob’s life at his daughter’s house. Directions will be given at the mass.
In lieu of flowers, Mary Lou wishes that donations in Bob’s name be made to The Kitchen, 1630 North Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, MO 65803. Bob was a good husband. He was a good father. He was a good friend. He lives on in our memories.
8 comments:
That's a great obituary. Sounds like he was a really good man.
The Landers Building is now the State Office Building. The Chancery Offices were on the 4th floor.
At the time, the elevators were not self service, they were ran by elevator operators.
When a passenger entered the elevator, the passenger would tell the operator what floor they wanted.
One priest, now deceased, would enter the elevator and say to the elevator operator:
"Floor fourth, we beseech thee."
That still cracks me up.
As sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.
I think I'll let the mystery be.
yeah, it still cracks me up.
It still cracks me up
Everybody's wondering what and where they all came from
Everybody's worrying 'bout where they're gonna go
When the whole thing's done
Nobody knows for certain,
And so it's all the same to me
I Think I'll just let the mystery be
Some say once gone, you're gone forever
Some say you're gonna come back
Some say you rest in the arms of the Savior
If in sinful ways you lack
Some say that they're comin' back in a garden
Bunch of carrots and little sweet peas
I Think I'll just let the mystery be
Some say they're going to place called Glory
And I ain't sayin' it ain't a fact
But I've heard that I'm on the road to purgatory
And I don't like the sound of that
I believe in love and I live my life accordingly
But I choose to let the mystery be
Floor fourth, we beseech thee.
It doesn't get any better than that.
It still cracks me up!
Every time I board an elevator I think of that line.
It still cracks me up.
I still miss someone
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