Richard Lee
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Richard Leslie Lee, 85, of Columbia passed away Thursday, March 3, 2011 at Lenoir Woods. Cremation has taken place and there will be no services. Richard was born November 18, 1925 in Purdin, MO to the late Virgil and Rose (Dodge) Lee. During WWII, he served on and aircraft carrier in the Pacific. When he came back, he attended the University of Missouri earning a BS in Agriculture and a MS in Journalism. Later he earned is PhD in Mass Communications at the University of Iowa. Richard joined the University Of Missouri College Of Agriculture as Assistant Agricultural Editor in January 1954 and was then named Agricultural Editor, Agriculture and Extension Information in 1959. He served in this capacity until his retirement in 1988. He continued to work part time for the Commercial Agriculture program and retired in 2009. He was academic advisor to a myriad of MU agricultural journalism students and continued as mentor in their careers. He also served as president of the Agricultural College Editors (ACE) from 1967-1968. Dr. Lee is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara, a daughter Leslie, a son Christopher, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by his sister Helen and his brother Bill.
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Dick was a very important part of the orientation of many MU Extension faculty and staff. He understood and lived the land grant mission of the University of Missouri.
Barb…I am so sorry for your loss and will be thinking about you and your family. You were always one of my favorite people and I wish you many blessings. you are a fabulous woman!oxxoxoxxoox
Barbara and Family –I will always be grateful for Dr. Lee’s contributions to agricultural journalism and the lives of the many students he both taught and inspired. Much of my success–and the service I have been able supply to farmers–is due to the education and commitment to excellence that he and Dr. Hatesohl instilled in many. Thank you for sharing him with so many for so long. I will be making a memorial contribution in his honor.–Charlene Finck, Farm Journal
Dr. Lee blessed countless students like me. I graduated in 1985, and Dr. Lee’s wealth of wisdom and generous spirit with students continues to enrich me professionally and personally. I will never forgot how he would take time to give personal attention to students like me. Dr. Lee leaves an amazing legacy.
Barb, I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m one of the extension guys who benefited much from Dick’s work and teachings. It’s good that we’ve had gentlemen like him. From personal experience, I know it’s hard to lose a loved one, but some have left a greater void that others. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Things will get easier as your memories take precedence over your sense of loss.
I’ll never forget the first time I met Dr. Lee. I was a journalism student, working a campus beat as a reporter for the Mizzou Maneater and interviewed him for a story. He asked me why, being from a farm background, I wasn’t an ag-j student. I told him, honestly, that I wasn’t aware the major existed. I ended up making the switch in majors and have never looked back. Twenty-five-plus years later, I still think about the time, good advice and concern he — and Dr. Delmar Hatesohl as well –provided to me as well as countless other students. My life has been richly blessed by their influence. God’s blessings to Dr. Lee’s family.
I have known Dr.Lee for many years as not just a colleague But a friend since the late 70’s I first met him while I was visiting my Mom working foe UMC Printing from there we seems to really hit it off. He was always so nice and happy to just sit and talk. Later in my life we met again as I came to work for the UMC Extension publications office. We picked up our talks from there like the 20 plus years were only days. I always loved the Way Dr.Lee made me feel like an old friend. I’ll really miss seeing him and I’ll miss our talks. God bless you Richard just for being my friend.And to your Family I would like to extend my very deepest Condolences. Dr Lee will be dearly missed.
I have known Dr.Lee for many years as not just a colleague But a friend since the late 70’s I first met him while I was visiting my Mom working foe UMC Printing from there we seems to really hit it off. He was always so nice and happy to just sit and talk. Later in my life we met again as I came to work for the UMC Extension publications office. We picked up our talks from there like the 20 plus years were only days. I always loved the Way Dr.Lee made me feel like an old friend. I’ll really miss seeing him and I’ll miss our talks. God bless you Richard just for being my friend.And to your Family I would like to extend my very deepest Condolences. Dr Lee will be dearly missed.
Dr. Lee will live in my memory as long as I have one. Some college students now barely know their advisor. I worked with and for Dr. Lee for several years while I was in college. Once during one of our advising sessions, he told me, “If there is an easier way, you will find it.” When I started trying to explain myself, Dr. Lee stopped me with, ’No, that’s not a criticism.” I had and stil hve no idea how he made that correct observatin of a personal trait of which I was not aware at that time.
I credit Dr. Lee with guiding me into my lifelong professon – a sumer internship at Webb Publishing Company lead to one the next summer at the Farm Quarterly which lead to an assistant manager editor job at Progressive Farmer the next summer. Then I moved into PR with the phone company, then to my hometown newspaper for the last 32 years.
Dr. Lee was great teacher, advisor and example.
I am saddened by Dick’s passing. He was a wonderful person who did so much for MU and its students. While I did not arrive at MU before Dick retired, I did have many opportunities to visit with him, particularly as we dealt with budget cuts and our commitment to AgJ. I valued his comments greatly. I recall one visit in particular. Alice and I won a bid for firewood at an AgUnlimited auction………. it was donated by Dick! He delivered the wood to our place and we had a good “tail gate” visit. His comments helped me as we worked to keep AgJ as an important program in our college. My heart and prayers go out to Barb and family. Dick did so much and will always be remembered. Sincerely
Tom 🙂
Thomas L. Payne
Vice Chancellor and Dean
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Dick Lee was a great communicator, leader and journalist. His influence for good reached far beyond Missouri. He is known, respected and loved across this entire U.S. We will all miss him. Ralph Ballew
Dr. Lee was a great teacher and never forgot his students…I ran into him at the Pork Chop tent several years ago (I graduated in 1981) and he still remembered me like is was yesterday. His smile and genuine care for each student is a legacy we all cherish. My prayers are with you the family for comfort and peace at this sad time. Blessings, Becky
Dick was a great leader, friend and mentor. His calm, unruffled management style, along with his good humor, wit, and personal warmth, made the Ag Editor’s Office a great place to work. All best wishes to Barbara and the family.
Bill Mackie, Austin, TX.
Dick Lee hired me in 1972. I truly enjoyed working for him and considered him one of the best role models I ever had in my 37-year communications career. I admired his integrity and dedication to his work and respected him greatly. He was quietly encouraging in all respects and had a way of imparting constructive criticism without making you feel belittled in any way. I wish now I’d worked for him longer than just five years — he was a wonderful supervisor and friend.
I didn’t know him very well, but his granddaughter is my best friend. The whole family is in my prayers. Love you all.
I didn’t know him very well, but his granddaughter is my best friend. The whole family is in my prayers. Love you all.
Barbara and family,
You know how much I thought about Dr. Lee. He was the best, most caring “boss” I have ever had. He hired me in 1968 and I have not experienced an office family atmosphere anywhere else I have worked nor have I had such a wonderful boss. His integrity, compassion for others, friendliness, love for his family and sincerity are only a few of the traits that I can list about him. I will always remember the good times at the Lee farm when Dr. Lee and Barbara opened up their home and hospitality. Thank you for those good memories. Am so glad Bonnie and I visited with you, Barbara, and Dr. Lee a year ago while he still knew who we were. You all will always be in my thoughts and prayers.