was born Feb. 3, 1943, and died Dec. 19, 2019. Our beloved Lee died of a heart condition while traveling in Thailand with family. This was a favorite country that he loved and visited most years when in Asia before continuing on to other destinations. His desire for world exploration was expressed as a boy when his grandfather asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. He said, “a tourist.”
After graduating from high school, Lee left the family ranch in Joseph, Oregon, to begin what would become his life of adventure by hitching a ride on a freighter bound for Europe.
Before backpacking became popular in the early 1960s, Lee’s rucksack had already carried secrets from far-away places. He climbed, skied and explored in many countries, bonding with people from other cultures around the world.
In 1979, he married Theresa and son, Vincent, and they made their home on the Rendezvous. For the 40 years that he called the valley “home,” he invested himself in knowing the land and its community.
While working in real estate, Lee began making his mark as one of the masterminds behind the trail system. He had a gift for understanding what makes people co-mingle in harmony. Lee’s loyalty to his community is evident in the many successes of local organizations including the Methow Conservancy, Methow Housing Trust and Confluence Gallery.
His kind heart, smile and wry sense of humor became his calling card as did the can of mints he always had in his pocket to share.
Lee’s family invites you to join in a celebration of his life on Sunday, Feb. 2, 1-4 p.m. at the Winthrop Barn. It will be an ice cream social.
