The first thing you notice when you meet Lee is the twinkle in his eyes. They indicate the delightful sense of humor that is Lee. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and was in NROTC at Harvard. As a Midshipman, he spent one summer aboard an aircraft carrier and another summer aboard conventional and nuclear submarines. Commissioned an Ensign upon graduation, Lee served as a surface warfare officer in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Western Pacific, including a ship engaged in combat in Vietnam.

 

After resigning from his commission, Lee studied law at USC and passed the California bar exam in his first sitting. Lee eventually became an Assistant County Counsel for Monterey County, a position he held for more than 30 years. He joined the Salinas Steinbeck Rotary Club in 1981 and is still an active member. Rotary opened many doors for Lee. He served as President of his Rotary Club in 1988-89 and thereafter served as Rotary District Governor in 2013-14 (58 Rotary Clubs in four central California counties). Through Rotary, Lee has had the opportunity to travel widely. He served as the Rotary Group Study Exchange Team Leader to Scotland in 1993 and has attended Rotary International Conventions all over the world. 

 

One of Lee’s most intense and long-lasting Rotary programs is the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. Lee has hosted at least seven students from other countries over the years. In this type of long-term exchange, the students and hosts become very close. In some cases, the relationships last a lifetime. Lee eventually agreed to serve as chair of that program for his Rotary District. He oversees dozens of students at a time, assuring their orientation, integration into their new culture, safety, and many other issues. It is a huge and important job, but Lee handles it extremely well with his keen insight, ready wit, and commitment to the program.

 

A natural leader, Lee is also active in his church and in his Masonic Lodge, where he currently serves as Master. At the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lee has also held many leadership positions and deepened his faith. Lee is just like cream that always rises to the top.

 

Lee was blessed to marry his second wife, Susie, in 2009. They were perfectly suited to each other. She accompanied him to many Rotary functions here and abroad. Their 18-year relationship was a highlight of Lee’s life. She was tragically taken from him in 2022. Lee’s deep faith and his activities have held Lee up since then. If you have the pleasure of becoming one of Lee’s many friends, you will indeed be blessed, but beware; he might just convince you to get involved in one of his many diverse activities!