Lee Patrick McMaster

1942 - 2024

Lee Patrick McMaster
Lee Patrick McMaster died peacefully at home on Thursday, February 8, 2024, from Metastatic Uveal Melanoma.
Lee was born on December 10, 1942, in Penns Grove, New Jersey to Edward S. and Edna (Kilpatrick) McMaster. Lee grew up in New Jersey, until moving to Wilmington, Delaware, in 1955. He was quarterback of the football team, valedictorian and class president at Conrad High School in Wilmington. He attended the University of Delaware, where he was the captain of both the track and cross-country teams and a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Lee graduated top of his class in 1964, with his degree in Chemical Engineering. He moved on to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology, furthering his study of Chemical Engineering. Lee obtained a Doctor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1969, finishing at MIT on a Friday and starting his career at Union Carbide on the following Monday.
Lee married his beloved wife, Loretta, in 1965, and they welcomed their first son, Brian, in 1968. In 1971, while living in Somerville, NJ, they welcomed their second son, Craig. The family moved to Long Valley, NJ, where they resided until 1979, when they moved to Brookfield, CT.
Lee loved his work and made it a point to be doing it at every minute possible. His diligence and intelligence helped him to excel and quickly be promoted. During these years, Lee worked long hours and traveled frequently, but always made time for family. His vacations all centered on trips to visit extended family in Delaware, Georgia, Florida and Switzerland.
Lee continued his successes and gained promotions to VP/GM of the Engineering Plastics Business. This business was sold to Amoco Chemicals and Lee moved to Amoco headquarters in Chicago, residing in Barrington, Illinois. In 1989, Lee returned to Union Carbide in Danbury, moving the family to Ridgefield, CT. When Dow Chemical bought Union Carbide and merged the companies, Lee and Loretta moved to Midland, Michigan. Lee retired from Dow Chemical as Chemicals Business Group President in 2004. Upon retirement, Lee moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Lee was a devoted family man, who had a loud infectious laugh. He was a dedicated competitive runner throughout his life. He won many medals and trophies at various distances. His kindness and generosity were often cited by friends and family as his top quality.
Lee is survived by his wife, Loretta, his sons, Brian (Leticia) and Craig (Tina), grandchildren, Natalie, Devin and Shane. Also surviving Lee is his brother, Gary (Vreni), his wife's siblings (Lloyd, Judith and Susan) and his nieces and nephews. Lee was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Edna, and his brother, Bruce.
A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Ridgefield, 103 Main Street, Ridgefield.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: First Congregational Church Columbarium Garden, 103 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877, https://www.firstcongregational.com/ , Help our Military Heroes, (HOMH), 15 Pheasant Lane, Easton, CT 06612, https://www.helpourmilitaryheroes.org/ (HOMH provides adapted customized vehicles to meet our heroes specific needs to rekindle the sense of independence enjoyed by wounded soldiers prior to injury. 100% of all donations goes towards purchase of wheelchair accessible vehicles), and Pie in the Sky Community Alliance, Inc., PO Box 600887, St. Johns, FL 32260, https://www.pieintheskystjohns.org/ (A non-profit organization working to solve senior hunger by purchasing and delivering fresh fruits and vegetables for low-income seniors in St Johns County, Florida).
Kane Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.