Robert Lee

1930 - 2017

Today God welcomed a new cornet player to His band.

Robert J. Lee passed away July 27, 2017, in Mason, Ohio. Bob was born Jan. 8, 1930, in Midland to parents Ralph and Hazel Lee. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Janet Johnson Lee; one brother, Ralph Lee Jr.; and two sisters, Helen Lee and Virginia Kennelly.

Bob graduated from Midland High School in 1948. He played first chair cornet in the Midland band for four years. In 1946 Bob won a Dow music department scholarship to the National Music Camp at Interlochen. In 1947 he played principal trumpet in the Interlochen high school symphony and first chair cornet in the Interlochen band.

Bob played cornet with the Michigan State College band for two years. He graduated with a degree in business in 1951.

After college, Bob joined the Navy officer candidate program. Bob was assigned as air intelligence officer with VF 153, which was part of Air Group 15, on the USS Princeton during the Korean War. Following the war he became air intelligence for Air Group 15 and sailed aboard the USS Yorktown.

In 1952, while in the Navy, Bob married Janet Ford Johnson. They had two children, Jeffrey Scott Lee and Margaret Ann (Lee) VanBrunt. Janet Lee died in 1983. Bob is survived by Jeffrey and Margaret, and their spouses and children.

In 1955 Bob returned to Midland as part owner and manager of The Lee Laundry. In 1964, he left the laundry and purchased The American Cleaners. While operating the cleaners he attended the National Institute of Dry-cleaning, graduating at the top of the class. Bob served as director of the Michigan Institute of Laundry and Dry-cleaning. After selling the drycleaners in 1983, Bob became the international VP of Fabritec International, a company selling detergents and dry-cleaning chemicals.

Bob moved to the Cincinnati area and in 1988 married Joan Refeldt. He is survived by Joan and her three daughters: Lisa (Rabinowitz), Marta (Hewet) and Sandy (Trane), and their spouses and children.

Bob and Joan were co-owners of a business in Cincinnati selling replacement parts for Nutone products. In 1995, they retired and moved to Keowee Key, S.C., returning to Maineville, Ohio in 2000.

Bob enjoyed music, playing trumpet in dance bands, travel, and was an avid Civil War historian. He was blessed to have been married to two wonderful ladies for a total of 60 years.

The family has chosen not to have a public memorial. Memorial contributions may be directed to Interlochen Center for the Arts, Robert J. Lee Memorial Scholarship Gifts, PO Box 199, Interlochen, MI, 49643 or 231-276-7611 or www.interlochen.org/memorial; or The Mason Christian Village Auxiliary, 411 Western Row Road, Mason, Ohio, 45040.