Robert Nelson "Bob" Lee 1911-1987

LEE, CUNNINGHAM, GRAY, HURLEY, DUNSCOMBE, BUCHER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/6/2012 at 22:58:42

Ex-Daily News Co-owner Robert N. Lee dies at 76
Friends in Estherville were saddened to learn of the death of a former co-owner and publisher of the Estherville Daily News, Robert N. (Bob) Lee, 76, who died Wednesday morning at his home in Fallbrook, Cal.

Mr. Lee had been advertising manager of the Daily News and was later publisher of the paper in the period 1943-1969 with his brother, the late Deemer Lee.

Funeral plans were unknown here Wednesday. A complete obituary will appear later. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, December 24, 1987)

Robert N. Lee
Estherville – Services for Robert Nelson Lee, 76, will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. John P. Besore III officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. He died Wednesday, Dec. 23, 1987 at his home in Fallbrook, California.

Friends may call at Henry-Olson-Fuhrman Funeral Home in Estherville from 3-9 p.m. Saturday.

Lee was born July 22, 1911, in Des Moines, the son of Nelson J. and Maude G. Lee. He moved to Estherville when only a few months old, and except for years spent in the teaching profession was a lifelong resident of the community.

He began the study of piano at the age of seven. During high school he became interested in pipe organ and took lessons for Laura Angel who was an organist at the Grand Theater. When Angel was forced to quit as organist, he stepped in as interim organist. He continued as full-time organist through his senior year. During the summers Lee frequently substituted as organist at both the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches.

Following graduation from Estherville High School in 1928 he studied music at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago; in 1929 he enrolled in Oberlin College for further study, graduating with honors in 1933. He taught at Arkansas A & M; Buena Vista College; and Mississippi State College for Women at Columbus.

In 1942 Lee enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in California and Missouri. Following service he joined his brother Deemer Lee at the Daily News selling advertising. This partnership lasted 25 years. He taught piano and organ students evenings and became organist and director of music at First Presbyterian Church in 1945. He was also choirmaster and an elder in the churh.

He organized and directed the Estherville Community Men’s Chorus; and helped re-organize the Community Concert Association; was a member of Estherville Kiwanis Club; organizer and president of Meals-On-Wheels, Inc.; member of Board of Emmet County Society for Crippled Children and Adults; Salvation Army; American Legion; Red Cross; Chamber of Commerce and Good Samaritan Center advisory board. Served on Estherville School Board nine years, three as president; during his presidency Estherville Junior College became Iowa Lakes Community Colege.

In 1968, when the Estherville Daily News was sold to W.E. Beck, he remained as publisher, retiring in 1970.

Lee was married Dec. 26, 1940 to Grace Cunningham of Storm Lake. She died in 1970. They had three sons; Major Joseph R. Lee, U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.; Major James N. Lee, U.S. Air Force, Dover, Del.; and Nelson J. Lee, attorney in San Francisoco.

In 1973 he married Mary Hurley Gray of Estherville.

Besides his wife Mary and three sons, he is survived by two step-daughters; Mrs. Thomas Dunscombe, Houston, Tex. And Mrs. David Bucher, Fallbrook, Calif.; a step-son, Paul G. Gray, San Francisco; 10 grandchildren; and one sister-in-law, Mrs. Everyld Lee, Estherville.

A memorial fund in Mr. Lee’s name has been established at the First Presbyterian Church for organ repairs. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, December 26, 1987)