Roland Marion Lee

1923 - 2019

96, died Sept. 12, 2019 in Winter Park. Mr. Lee was born in Punta Gorda, Florida, March 1, 1923 and was a graduate of Charlotte High School, class of '41. While in high school Roland found a part-time job with Hubbard Construction Company of Orlando which had several projects in the area. The job became full time when he graduated. He volunteered for the Army Air Corps and when the call came, in 1942, he resigned from Hubbard and left for training. He became a navigator on B-26 Marauder bombers and flew 66 missions out of England over France, Belgium, and Holland. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 11 clusters, the Purple Heart and the French Legion of Honor. Lee returned to the states in the fall of '44 and soon met Shirley Harris of Orlando. They were married December 24, 1944. When World War II ended, Roland enrolled at the University of Florida from which he graduated in June 1948 as a civil engineer. His first position was in Shreveport, La. with the Arkansas-Louisiana Gas Co., but after 8 years there he returned to Orlando to reconnect with Hubbard. There he worked in all positions from foreman of a field crew to senior vice president of administration. He left Hubbard after 21 years to serve for 15 years as vice president and Central Florida regional manager of Watson and Co., Architects, Engineers, Planners, and its successor firm, Prime Design, Inc. During this time he remained in the Active Army Reserve where he graduated from the Command and General Staff school, the Army Engineer school, and the Adjutant General school. He retired in 1968 from the Army after 26 years with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Roland retired from Prime Design in 1988 and the Lees moved into the Winter Park Towers Presbyterian retirement center in 1988. Shirley died in 2004. Roland met and married Lucienne Birgfeld at the Winter Park Towers in 2006.

Roland believed in "civic duty" and his many opportunities included serving as president of the Kiwanis Club of Orlando, the Central Florida Fair Board, the Orlando Area Chamber of Commerce, and state president of the Florida Engineering Society. He also served as chairman of the first district advisory committee of the Orange County School District. Roland was also active in the Winter Park Presbyterian Church as a deacon and elder until he and Shirley were asked to lead a group sent out to form the Tuskawilla Presbyterian Church in 1973. There he was an elder and treasurer for nine years. At Winter Park Towers he was active on their committees and served as chairman of the Resident Council. He served on the boards of Florida Blood Centers (donating 30+gallons), Presbyterian Retirement Communities, Winter Park Memorial Hospital, and others. He is survived by Lucienne, his wife of 14 years, daughter Lauren O'Neil, of Winter Park, son Jonathan H. Lee (Molly) of Ocala, son in law Charles Price, step-daughter Sandra Monroe of Winter Park, 6 grandchildren and many great grandchildren, and brother Ronald Lee (Cathy).

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Winter Park Presbyterian Church, Fri., Sept. 20 at 3:00 pm, 400 S. Lakemont Ave., Winter Park with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Retirement Communities Foundation, Westminster Winter Park/Baldwin Park for Benevolent Assistance, 1111 S. Lakemont Ave., Winter Park, FL 32792. Arrangements entrusted to Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home-Goldenrod Chapel, 7520 Aloma Ave., Winter Park.