Roland Wai Tung Lee

I was your mailman when you lived at Hinalii pl.He was a good man.
Lory Segawa

Jordan and Chelsea: No word can describe how great of a man your dad is. We will also cheerish the good and sad time we had shared with him. He was always there for help (computer). He had the patience for uncle wayne and I when it comes to electronics. He is now at PEACE with our CREATOR. We were BLESSED to have the short time we had when you bought him home. Sorry our return time to Guam did not meet with the the services, but he was in our heart and minds.
With deepest Love, Uncle Wayne and Auntie Edna

Dear Dad,

I want to thank you for helping to mold me into the person that I am today. The older I get the more I see pieces of you and mom within myself. Your memorial service helped me to see what a loved and noble man you were. Everyone had such amazing things to say about you, and I have to agree with them 100%. There is not a day that goes by that where you are not on my mind. Thank you for everything, thank you for raising Chelsea and I to be independent adults, thank you for teaching me love, wisdom, and even common sense! You helped me to enjoy sports, you taught me to swim and ride a bike, and you also passed on your love of dogs and animals to me as well. I look forward to the future years of my life where I can discover more about myself, then compare it to what I knew about you. It never gets easier knowing that you are gone but I find comfort in spending time with our family and friends. I love you more than words and I am honored to be your son. I love you dad. I am forever grateful.

August 30, 2012
This is by far my most favorite post! While Dad was recovering in the ICU at Scripps Memorial, he had a nurse who fell in love with the ukulele and was excited to take his first trip to Hawaii in a couple months. In La Jolla, he would meet with a group regularly and have "jam sessions." The day we met him, he actually had his ukulele with him and he shared this musical piece with us. The doctor walking in is our beloved Dr. Cheryl Olson, who successfully did dad's surgery.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151108352292088

September 1, 2012
Too short to lean over da bed rail...but dad looks great & walked for the first time yesterday

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151110569512088&set=a.10150245714187088.338945.589947087&type=1&relevant_count=1

September 8, 2012

Jordan Lee's Facebook post at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, CA:

Our battle with my father's cancer is not over but today is progress nonetheless. We are truly taking it one day at a time. Thank you to everyone for all your loving words, thoughts, and support. Thank you also to the caring staff at Scripps Memorial Hospital, my father is forever grateful for your amazing help and healing. Now it is time for dad to get some rest, relax, and eat some home cooked meals! Love & light to you all!!! — with Chelsea Kaipo Yung at Scripps Memorial Hospital.

March 9, 2013
Dad had to undergo emergency surgery for a life-threatening infection that he had unknowingly. But thanks to the quick thinking of Dr. Robin Lee, Dad's life was saved. Dr. Lee saw us in the ER, quickly fought for a time slot in the Operating Room, despite the fact that he had to catch a flight in 5 hours. He skillfully operated on Dad and was finished about an hour before his flight was to leave. As Dad rested in recovery, Dr. Lee called us while he checked in at the airport to discuss with us Dad's recovery, and he said he would see us all when he returned from his flight in a few days. Dad recovered well at Straub, he felt really good because he had to stop the chemo pill he was taking, plus the doctors there would take a blood sample every few days and gear his antibiotics towards what his blood tests revealed. I was impressed that they could do that!
Dad stayed for a handful of weeks there, he quickly became the favorite patient because he was so pleasant and easy-going. All the nursing students would hide in his room with the curtain half closed, because they all loved to talk story with him and eat snacks. They would run away from their instructor to take a break from their crazy internship schedule, or even just to have some quiet time and study in his room. He always gave food to the staff, and I remember one day we ordered pizza and kept it in his room. The nursing students would all take turns hiding inside with us, eating pizza. There must have been about 10-15 students, and they would tell all their friends to visit Mr. Lee's room because he was the coolest! It was a nice experience, almost like a vacation there at Straub, he was like a father figure to the students and they would cry with him when they found out he was terminal, because he definitely didn't look it, he had a healthy appearance and was very lively and talkative.

May 27, 2013
Grandpa Roland always had the time and energy to hang out with the grandkids...Kale'a and Kila loved his ideas and easy-going nature. Here is a link to a video on my Facebook page that captures a simple moment of them at home.

June 16, 2013 Father's Day

Facebook post from Jordan Lee:

#happyfathersday to the best dad!!! i am forever grateful and blessed. IU DAD! — with Chelsea Kaipo Yung.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151639426145782&set=a.10151051423440782.454142.625040781&type=1&relevant_count=1

July 22, 2013
Playtime at the Hickam Splash Park with Grandpa Roland, Uncle Jordan, Aunty Ronnie Lee, Uncle Loren Takatsuka and their dogs!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151691191962088&set=pcb.10151691192222088&type=1

Grandpa Roland found a starfruit tree and told Kale'a to get her bucket. They finished that bucket of starfruit in 2 days. So then they picked 2 more buckets. Kale'a likes the green ones and Grandpa likes the yellow ones!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151850183992088&set=pcb.10151850195482088&type=1

March 31, 2014

Aunty Ele Miyashiro's Facebook Post:

A very DEAR friend has taken his spot in flight with our Lords heavenly Angels! After years of standing STRONG against the big "C" he has lost his strength to continue the fight! Rest in peace Our FRIEND Roland Lee! You will forever be in our Hearts & Your Laughter will be heard by all of us forever! — feeling heartbroken with Lani Steinhaus, Dennis T Miyashiro, Joy Lavariño- Wong, Rigel Wong, Jordan Lee and Chelsea Kaipo Yung.

Speech given by Leland Louie on behalf of Roland's Roosevelt High School classmates and long-time friends

I have known Roland Lee since September 1967 in the English class of our sophomore year in Roosevelt High School. We both sat next to a classmate named Hui Ling in Mrs. Petty's class. Sophomore was the first year in high school then. We all want to start on the right path to go to college after high school and be a good citizen. Roland was like a model for me to follow because he always found the right way to do things.
We both came from Hong Kong, but Roland Lee was fluent in English, much more so than I was. He spoke English without any accent because he was the top student from Central Middle School, while I was an average student from Kawananakoa School. He kept improving himself with elective speech class and social activities. He always challenged himself and overcame all obstacles. It was natural for him, and he made it look so easy.
Roland worked part-time after school during his high school years and yet got an "A" from Ms. Kiuchi's Algebra 3 & 4 & Trigonometry class, when I was struggling under the water. The physics class exams were naturally easy for him, while most of us could not figure what is E=MC squared. He played sports like soccer and had lots of friends. He was the leader of our pack. He was the first on everything.
First in buying a car, first to help anyone who needed help, first to have a full time job before all of us. He was working for Quantas Airline as an aircraft mechanic. He graduated from the highly regarded aircraft mechanic training program, wanting to do the actual hands-on mechanical work of an aircraft engineer than just getting an engineering degree.
He was the first to get married, and first to have two beautiful children, a girl named Chelsea and a boy named Jordan, and grandchildren.
He actually lived life to the fullest.
Roland will always be with us and bless us always with a helping hand. Thank you, Roland. You are always a great friend to eternity.

Email from Dr. Cheryl Olson, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA

Wed 04/02/14 12:11AM

Dear Chelsea,

Thank you very much for calling to let me know about your dad's passing. I had been thinking about him and wondering how he was doing. I am so sorry that you had to lose him at this time. He was such a wonderful person, such a kind and gentle soul. I'm sure you felt lucky to have him as your father.

It was my privilege to be his surgeon and have the opportunity to get to know you all. I know it probably seems like the time you had together since his surgery was very short, but I hope that it was a happy and peaceful time for your family.

Roland Lee was a very special person and someone I will never forget. Thank you for bringing him to me.

With sincere and deep sympathy for your loss,

Dr. Olson