Peter Hong Lee passed away on November 6, 2025 in Chapel Hill North Carolina. He was 77 years old.
Born to Pauline and William Lee in Oakland, California, Peter spent many of his early years around the San Francisco Bay Area and California adventuring on camping trips and Boy Scout trips along side family and friends. He also started a life tied to music with accordion lessons, and then eventually piano lessons. Over his lifetime he enjoyed learning about new things whether that was hobbies or professions. This included multi day cycling trips, backpacking, canoeing, orienteering, cooking, baking bread, reading, learning about dairy farms, birding, an EBay business, reading (Tolkien and Analog sci fi were some favorites), along with many other things, and eventually theater at DPAC and horses. He enjoyed large family gatherings, whether in California, Minnesota, Emerald Isle in North Carolina, or Chapel Hill itself. Canasta and Hearts were two favorite card games across these gatherings, along with puzzles, lots of good food, and especially ice cream.
Peter attended M.I.T., USC School of Medicine, and eventually the Stanford Sloan Program for his business degree. He was a long time family practice physician, well respected by his patients, and went on to numerous management roles for Kaiser Permanente.
Peter was swift to engage in new opportunities, learning new things and supporting new people he met without hesitation. He had an endless love of knowledge, and enjoyed sharing it with many. In his high school year book, Peter said his greatest wish was "to spend 10 years in the Sierras, all expenses paid." While that never quite came to fruition, he spent a number of beloved summers volunteering in Yosemite National Park with the Yosemite Conservancy, building yet another community with fellow volunteers. Most recently he dove head first into learning about horses and creating spaces for horses and pets, alongside his wife Shelley. He also enjoyed supporting his Chapel Hill neighborhood homeowner's association. He adored many of his neighbors in his most recent neighborhood in particular.
Peter is survived by his wife of 7 years, Shelley; child Sharon (David); and grandchild Hannah, as well as his brothers Kerwin (Cara) and Rod (Madi). He is preceded in death by his parents Bill and Pauline Lee, and his wife and partner of many years, Ellen (2017).
In lieu of gifts, find one of the many organizations that support the Sierra Nevada area.
Born to Pauline and William Lee in Oakland, California, Peter spent many of his early years around the San Francisco Bay Area and California adventuring on camping trips and Boy Scout trips along side family and friends. He also started a life tied to music with accordion lessons, and then eventually piano lessons. Over his lifetime he enjoyed learning about new things whether that was hobbies or professions. This included multi day cycling trips, backpacking, canoeing, orienteering, cooking, baking bread, reading, learning about dairy farms, birding, an EBay business, reading (Tolkien and Analog sci fi were some favorites), along with many other things, and eventually theater at DPAC and horses. He enjoyed large family gatherings, whether in California, Minnesota, Emerald Isle in North Carolina, or Chapel Hill itself. Canasta and Hearts were two favorite card games across these gatherings, along with puzzles, lots of good food, and especially ice cream.
Peter attended M.I.T., USC School of Medicine, and eventually the Stanford Sloan Program for his business degree. He was a long time family practice physician, well respected by his patients, and went on to numerous management roles for Kaiser Permanente.
Peter was swift to engage in new opportunities, learning new things and supporting new people he met without hesitation. He had an endless love of knowledge, and enjoyed sharing it with many. In his high school year book, Peter said his greatest wish was "to spend 10 years in the Sierras, all expenses paid." While that never quite came to fruition, he spent a number of beloved summers volunteering in Yosemite National Park with the Yosemite Conservancy, building yet another community with fellow volunteers. Most recently he dove head first into learning about horses and creating spaces for horses and pets, alongside his wife Shelley. He also enjoyed supporting his Chapel Hill neighborhood homeowner's association. He adored many of his neighbors in his most recent neighborhood in particular.
Peter is survived by his wife of 7 years, Shelley; child Sharon (David); and grandchild Hannah, as well as his brothers Kerwin (Cara) and Rod (Madi). He is preceded in death by his parents Bill and Pauline Lee, and his wife and partner of many years, Ellen (2017).
In lieu of gifts, find one of the many organizations that support the Sierra Nevada area.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Peter Hong Lee, please visit our flower store.
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