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Robert Lee Obituary
Group CaptainDr. Robert Bruce Lee AO
24 September 1943 - 27 April 2018
Loving partner of Sue.
Cherished father of Amanda.
Adored grandpére (papi)
of Raphael and Annabelle.
Loved brother of Barry.
Family and friends are warmly invited to
attend the funeral service
celebrating Rob's life
which will be held at
RMC Chapel,
Cnr Robert Campbell Rd and Miles Rd,
Duntroon ACT on
Friday 4th May 2018
commencing at 11.00am.
In lieu of flowers a donation in Rob's memory may be made to Rise Above,
Capital Region Cancer Relief.
www.riseabovecbr.org.au
Private Cremation
27 Entries
Raby Abidi
November 29, 2018
I had the chance to be trained by Rob and till today I can say that his way of teaching and sharing the knowledge and passion for aviation remains the best experience I had.
May you rest in peace
Alan Brownbill
August 6, 2018
I was shocked and saddened to only hear of Rob's passing on the weekend from a CASA Safety Inspector. For some reason this news hadn't filtered through the aviation grapevine to me on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland where I now do my GA flying.
I first met Rob way back in the early 1980's at BASI after graduating in Economics from the A.N.U and I had a rotation through BASI as a junior research officer.
He was my immediate supervisor and I still recall him asking how would I feel taking on a project to determine the costs of aircraft accidents in Australia, something which strangely hadn't been done before.
Despite it sounding quite daunting, he encouraged me to give it a go and maybe source outside help in the task.
Well to cut the story short, I did just that using the Canadian NTSB report as a template and some assistance from a road accident researcher in Melbourne .
So after churning through a lot of aircraft accident files and number crunching, about 6 months later the report was released by the Minister for Aviation at the time.
This assisted the government in some way to understand what resources were needed to help prevent future accidents.
But it was only Rob's help and encouragement, smiling face and sense of humour that got me through a pretty challenging exercise and for that I shall never forget him.
You were a legend in aviation mate, R.I.P.
Claudio Rojo
July 17, 2018
Bob, dear teacher. Always with his smile and his good humor. We'll miss you very much. AEPA IBERIA
Alberto Bendito
July 17, 2018
Met Rob long time ago. Always remember his wise learning. Lovely sense of humor . You will be missed!!
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RAFAEL DE TOCA AARON
July 16, 2018
Dear Rob
We spent a couple of marvellous weeks in Stockholm and in our home in Iberia, Madrid.
We learnt a lot from your experience, but mostly we enjoyed your friendship and humanity.
Difficult for us to understand your Australian jokes, but we certainly had a great time with you.
We will miss you.
With all my love to your family, relatives and friends,
Rafa Toca
July 14, 2018
Sadly only now became aware of the passing of Rob Lee when searching the internet for some of his views.
Had a great respect for him.
May he rest in peace and condolences to his family.
Rennie van Zyl
Ex- accident investigator and ICAO retiree.
South Africa
Mike Regan
June 29, 2018
Rob was a fine friend and mentor. He co-supervised my honours and PhD research in psychology and human factors at the ANU, and gave me my first job - at the then Canberra TAFE College counselling unit. Along with the late Dr Bill Gladstones, who supervised both of our Psychology Honours theses, he is the one who excited and nurtured my interest in Human Factors. As a Human Factors community, we have lost a very fine and talented friend and colleague; but will not forget his many contributions to public life.
Jean-Jacques Speyer
May 6, 2018
Dear Sue, dear friends,
personal memories of charismatic Rob Lee go back quite far. When I first met him back in the late eighties my FSF presentation in Taipei I used a metaphor to explain the essence of Fly-by-Wire for the pilot as the horse rider kicking and the horse then carrying out the maneuver. He kept mentioning this throughout the years as we met in Safety and Human Factors Meetings. His unabated dedication and his contributions combined passion, excellence, foresight. His legendary smile will stay with us, his sense of humor as well. I remember the Airbus HF Conference in Hong Kong where my Belgian English led me to introduce one of my presenters saying: "she will be very explicit about the essence of CRM". He exploded in laughter when I did this word slip in all modesty comparable to the recent Frenglish slip during the recent visit to Australia by President Macron when he met the Prime Minister and his wife.
I remember his first visit to Airbus in the nineties when at BASI as we fought to introduce safety incident reporting combined with human factors in BASIS and his generous offer to support us and with OASIS. His magistral introduction at the 2012 EAAP in Sardaigne when I presented OGHFA, a concept which took years before it got embedded in SKyBrary. His brilliant lectures with my friend Brent Hayward in the HF's in Flight Safety Training Courses both in Dublin and in Barcelona two years ago. And where I introduced him to my wonderful wife, Véronique leaving him in teasing disbelief yet enchanted approval. Rob as wa "total aviation person", loyal, passionate, visionary, totally committed. He kept kayoing tribute to his father, narrating his happy years at St Andrews, Scotland , his years at beloved RAAF, his tenure at BASI, his lovely Sue, now so hard stricken. After all his hard work and hard fought battles, may he rest in peace, may his memory be a flag for science & humanity, in remembrance of his foresight and friendliness, with his boots on. Thank You Sir, Jean-Jacques & Véronique Speyer, Nice
Jo De Landre
May 5, 2018
To our great friend Rob Lee
Today we mourn the loss of Rob
Our friend, our colleague so, so dear,
A man who meant so much to us
The loss has brought many a tear.
The support world-wide has shown us
That many share our hurt and pain,
This world will never be the same
The sad feelings will never wane.
But through our tears we also know
That Rob wouldn't want us to cry,
He had such a wonderful life
Before he finally said Goodbye.
Rob was such a visionary
He advanced safety till the end,
He was respected and admired
A man we proudly called our friend.
His tireless work and energy
The way he would help everyone,
Makes this sad loss so hard to bear
His passion was second to none.
We salute you Rob and your work
We so wish it wasn't this way,
We smile at the great memories
As we say adieu on this day.
With so much love and respect, Jo De Landre xx
Fly high Rob and keep rocking
A life that touches others goes on forever.
John Lauber
May 5, 2018
Rob Lee earned the highest respect of his human factors and aviation safety colleagues around the world. All who travel by air owe him a debt of gratitude for his many contributions to making their travels safe. He was one of the really good guys and will be missed.
André Droog
May 4, 2018
Dear Rob,
I will miss you, it was a great joy to know you and real happiness to have a beer with you now and then and talk. I will always remember you as a friend.
Speaking for EAAP, the association of aviation psychologists and human factors specialists of which you were a most loyal member for 45 years, you meant a lot to us. It was a great pleasure to have a real authority with such kindness in our midst and to learn from you at our conferences and in the courses you conducted. I am sure many of us owe you a lot in their thinking and attitudes about flight and system safety, like me. Flight safety in the world has lost a leading and influential player. Just in case Saint Peter may have made some error, I am sure He will ask you to make Heaven a safer place, as you have done to the world.
Our hearts will be with Sue and your family and we hope to meet them soon again.
Malcolm Robertson
May 4, 2018
A true gentleman, consummate professional and leader in aviation safety and human factors understanding and practice. We will miss your wisdom, humour and music - vale Rob!
Vesa Keinänen
May 4, 2018
To Rob,
Thank you for your humanity and professionalism. You teachings live with those flying safely; it is you who will be missed.
Dan Maurino
May 4, 2018
Never in the field of Human Factors was so much owed by so many to so few. Rob was not only one of the Few, he was a leader of the Few. May He rest in peace.
Claudia Brisotto
May 4, 2018
Vola alto e forte Rob.
Grazie
Priya Doobaree
May 4, 2018
Dear Rob,
You left so unexpectedly, we will miss you.
Deepest condolences to Sue and family as you brave this tragic loss, thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dr. Robert Lee was a role model for many especially for those of his industry. He was always willing to provide guidance and share his wealth of knowledge. He was a kind soul, an amazing professor and a great musician! I feel honoured to have known him. Your legend will live one. RIP.
Amel SEDAOUI
May 3, 2018
Dear Rob,
Our love for you is eternal, your lightness will shine for ages to come like the stars. You were and will always be my mentor, my dear friend and role model. Goodbye Rob. Godspead my friend.
Sue, Amada with all my heart with you.
Amel Sedaoui
May 3, 2018
Dear Rob
You marked my life with your kindness, your generosity and your beautiful heart. And I was among the luckiest people who got the chance to have you as a mentor, a dear friend and a father-figure.
Like a star, you live in our hearts and memories for ages.
I love you Rob.
Rikke Srensen
May 3, 2018
I was lucky to know you, Rob! And you too, Sue, my thoughts are with you and the family. With great respect, Rikke...
Curt Graeber
May 3, 2018
Dear Faraway Friend,
It was so special to work with you on your last aviation safety project. Once again your keen insights, future vision and hopes for improved safety warmed my heart. Thanks for the adventures we shared, your charming humor and your generous smile. You will be missed throughout the aviation world and by me personally. May you Rest In Peace.
May 3, 2018
Rob - I haven't talked with you in a while and was shocked to hear of your passing. Your reassuring presence and reasoned and informed arguments have helped keep Australian aviation going along the right path.
You will be much missed in the wider Human Factors community.
Barbara
Oliver
May 3, 2018
Dear Rob,
Thank you for being a lighthouse for safety in the aviation industry for so many decades. You have been one of these exceptional individuals who have been always willing to share wisdom and experience. Thank you so much for many dinners full of sharing, laughing and the company of you and your lovely wife Sue. You will always have a special place in our hearts. All my best wishes and prayers for your family.
David Turner
May 3, 2018
Farewell Rob. You were my mentor, colleague, fellow presenter and, above all, my very dear friend. I will miss your wisdom, guidance and humour greatly. My family and I pass our deepest condelences to Sue and Rob's family.
Kim Goodman
May 3, 2018
RIP Rob. You will be dearly missed and thought of often. Your contributions to our industry will live on, thanks for all you did. All my love and thoughts to my dear friend Sue and family.
Robert Warn
May 3, 2018
Valé Rob Lee. A good man. Sadly missed.
Heartfelt condolences to partner Sue, and daughter Amanda and children.
Arnie Morscheck
May 2, 2018
A great mind and a great smile in a great guy. Will miss his intellect and beautiful nature. A role model in the aviation industry. My thoughts and prayers are with Sue and family.
Eric Menard
May 2, 2018
To Rob,
I want to express my feelings to you, I will never forget how you have welcomed me in your heart and family.
I will always love you and you always be the father I never had.
I just wish we had spent more time together, life has decided otherwise.
Thank you for being the best grand père for Annabelle and Raphael.
I will always treasure my memories of you Rob, may your lovely soul Rest In Peace.
I will always think of you and more when I will stare at the Australian coastline hearing the whip birds .
All my best wishes are for Sue, Amanda and the children.
Love to all.
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