Robert Gerald Lee

SOUTH YARMOUTH — Robert Gerald Lee died at home in the arms of his wife, Diane Casey Lee, surrounded by his family, on Friday, Sept. 5, 2008.

Born in Waukegan, Ill., on Nov. 11, 1940, he was the son of the late retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Newbern Lee and Lucille Donaldson Lee. He was educated at Gordon Military College, and upon honorable medical discharge from the Navy, attended the University of Chicago while working at General Motors.

Bob's professional career was centered in the aerospace industry, most recently with Sikorsky Helicopter in Stratford, Conn. He was a highly respected aerospace engineer with more than 30 years' experience and, because of his diverse engineering history, was often called upon to troubleshoot on projects. Bob had many friends across the county in the industry.

While working for Kaman Aerospace in Bloomfield, Conn., he met Diane and they married in 1991. Their love and devotion for one another sustained them through his courageous struggle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He fought the good fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith.

Bob was a loving and devoted father to his daughter, Stacey Gann and her husband, Rocky, in Colleyville, Texas; Richard D. Lee and his wife, Heather, in San Antonio; stepdaughters Laura McDermott and her husband, Jim, of Scituate, and Lanna Walsh of Marblehead; and stepson F. John Lapinski and his wife, Amy, of Chatham.

He is also survived by two sisters, Mary Carole Campbell and her husband, Charles LeRance, of Charleston, S.C., and Sandra Sargeant and her husband, Donald, of Greenwich, Conn.; a brother, Ray Donald Lee and his wife, Sharon, of Evanston, Wyo.; and aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Bob's happiest times were spent with his beloved grandchildren, Garret and Grant Gann, Colleen, Lauren and James McDermott, Hunter and Annabelle Walsh and Jan and Christian Lapinski. Bob was looking forward to meeting his newest little ones — twins, Jaxon and Brooke Lee. Bob established the annual tradition of honoring the grandchildren's scholastic achievements by hosting the "Dollars for Scholars" award party every summer. The children simply needed to do their very best in school and tell Bob what their goals were for the coming school year. He loved the children dearly.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m. at St. David's Episcopal Church, 205 Old Main St., South Yarmouth. Interment in the memorial gardens will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances may be made to the Cape Cod Council of Churches, P.O. Box 758, Hyannis, MA 02601.