Lee Rivers Polk

1941 - 2021

Lee Rivers Polk
1941-2021
POLK, Lee Rivers, 79, passed away on March 16, 2021 after a fall at his home in San Diego, CA. A legend in both the high school and college debate communities, he will be remembered as "the Great One" to those who knew and loved him.
Lee was born on July 5, 1941 in Bay City, Texas to Giles and Margaret Polk, both of whom predeceased him. He is survived by his brother, John Polk (Kay); half-brother, Larry Vandiver (Donna); and nephew, Bryan Polk, all of Houston; niece, Dawn Polk Myers (Kenny) and great nephew Bailey Bridges of Burleson, TX. He is also survived by his partner of 21 years, Bob Betzer.
After graduating from high school in Bay City, he went to North Texas State University. Lee competed in debate and was active in student government. He graduated in 1962 with a B.S. He earned his M.A. in 1965 and Ph.D. in 1967 from Purdue University. Lee then worked for the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. as a researcher and writer. His passion and experience as a debate coach led him to Baylor University in 1970 as the Director of Forensics and Debate.
Under Polk, Baylor won its first National Debate Tournament title in 1975. His debate workshops for high school students drew as many as a thousand students to Baylor each summer. Lee co-authored and founded The Baylor Briefs which became the most widely distributed handbook for high school debaters. Lee became Chair of the Baylor Department of Communication Studies in 1978 and retired in 2003. Lee and Bob Betzer settled in San Diego in 2008. They took numerous cruises around the world. Lee loved opera, good food and fellowship. His legacy lives in students and debaters he taught and entertained at the same time.
No services are planned at this time. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.featheringillmortuary.com.