Raymond A. Lee M.D.
Monday, September 14, 1931
Date of Death:
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Age:
81 years old
Monday, September 14, 1931
Date of Death:
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Age:
81 years old
Monday, September 14, 1931
Date of Death:
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Age:
81 years old
Raymond A. Lee M.D.
Dr. Raymond A. Lee, 81, saw the face of Jesus on December 6, 2012.
Ray was born September 14, 1931. A Rochester native, he was a noted athlete at Rochester High School, starring in football, basketball and baseball. As a senior in 1950 he was named to the all- state tournament basketball team. Ray worked at the Snack Shop on Broadway and delivered the Post Bulletin as a young boy. In 1940 he was the State Marble Champ and took great pride in telling the story of climbing with success the Libby’s Corn structure.
Ray attended the University of Indianapolis, formally known as Indiana Central College, from 1950-1954. There he met the love of his life, Betty Bilby. They were married January 30th, 1954, the winter break before graduation.
As a result of a college biology professor’s mentoring and encouragement, Ray entered medical school and began his training at Indiana University Medical School in Bloomington, Indiana. He came to Mayo Clinic in 1959 to begin training in OBGYN and general surgery, serving in the US Army in the early 60’s as well. Ray joined the consultant staff of Mayo Clinic in 1965 in the Department of OBGYN as a gynecologic surgeon where he rose through the academic ranks to Professor. He honorably served the Mayo Clinic in numerous capacities, including Division Chair for gynecologic surgery, Personnel Committee, Doctors Mayo Society, Board of Governors, Board of Trustees and was particularly proud of being recognized by trainees as a member of the Mayo Clinic Teacher of the Year Hall of Fame and being chosen for the Distinguished Clinician Award by his Mayo peers. Beyond Mayo, Ray was internationally recognized as a top notch surgeon, educator and gentleman. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Pelvic Surgery, led the effort to establish the subspecialty of urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery, authored one of the premier text books in gynecologic surgery and served as President of the distinguished Society of Gynecologic Surgeons as well as the Society of Pelvic Surgeons. To this day he is the international standard of excellence in surgical care by which his colleagues aspire.
Ray was a member of Homestead United Methodist Church, a longtime member of the Rochester YMCA , and faithful student and group leader of The Community Bible Study.
On a typical weekend he could be found making French bread before Saturday rounds or working in his yard and enjoying his boxer dogs.
In his death he is still teaching all who knew him, how to live. He walked with grace, gentleness and compassion everyday of his life. Whether you were the custodian at the clinic, the kid who joined the pick-up basketball game or the visiting surgeon from across the ocean, you were called by name and listened to. What made him a great doctor was that he was first a humble and faithful servant of his Lord and second he loved and adored his family. Throughout his medical career the patient always came first in every case he took. To him they were a person with a story who needed some help. He treated the President’s wife, the Queen and the Iowa farmer’s wife exactly the same. Ray Lee lived life with JOY for all things. He made the tough stuff bearable and the easy stuff more fun. We give thanks for his many gifts that he so freely shared with us all.
He is survived by his wife, Betty, of 58 years. Daughter, Robin Swanson (Dan) of Franklin, KY. Son, Randy Lee (Kristin) of Minnetrista MN . Daughter, Cindy Melin (Mark) of Plymouth, MN. Grandchildren Laura Swanson, Erik Lee, Anna Lee, Paul Swanson, Isaac Melin, Davis Melin, Peyton Melin, Torsten Lee and Grace Melin.
He is preceded in death by his parents, a half-brother and a grandchild, Toby Lee.
Our special thanks to the caregivers who cared for him with love at home and the compassionate staff at St. Mary’s Hospital, his second home.
A Celebration of Ray Lee’s Wonderful Life will be held at 11:00 am , Saturday, December 22nd at Homestead United Methodist Church, 400 13th Ave. SE Rochester, MN 55904 with Rev. Becky Jo Messenbrink officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am until time of the service at the church.
Arrangements entrusted to Macken Funeral Home 1105 12th Street S.E. Rochester MN 55904. 507-282-1075. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Mayo Clinic or Homestead United Methodist Church.
Condolences
The family of Raymond A. Lee M.D. has received the following condolences.
Dear Betty and Family,
We have great memories of you and Ray while we were with you at Homestead Church!
We especially remember our trip to the Holy Land together.
God's strength through Jesus Christ will be with you.
Our love and prayers surround all of you.
Dave and Esther Schneider
I worked with Dr. Lee for 20 yrs. in surgery at SMH. What a great surgeon and great man!
Dear Mrs. Lee and family,
It was my privilege and honor to have known Dr. Lee as both a wonderful neighbor (Mother and Dad, Dr. and Mrs. Howard Polley) were so fond of your family) and as my surgeon during a difficult time in my life.
What a blessing he was - and will continue to be in our memories.
Mary Ann Polley
I had the privilege of working with Dr. Lee in the 80s as a surgical recorder at SMH. He was a very kind man with a wonderful sense of humor, and I witnessed his absolute kindness toward his patients on numerous occasions. I haven't seen him in many years, but he is one of my best memories of working in surgery.
Your family is in my prayers.
Edie
Dear Betty,
I was saddened when I read of Ray's passing. May you know that he is at peace in Heaven and you will see him again someday. It must be especially hard this time of year to not have your spouse with you for the holidays, but as long as you keep him in your memories, he will always be in your heart.
I enjoyed working with you before I retired from being a Personal Banker and remember you talking of Ray often. He was lucky to have you as a spouse and caregiver.
God be with you and your family.
Paulette Zenner
Dear Mrs. Lee,
I read of Dr. Lee's passing with great sadness, and send my deep condolences.
I was fortunate to be a visiting fellow with Dr. Lee for only two months in 1982. In that short time he had a profound influence on my career. He remains the best surgeon I have ever seen. He taught me that surgical excellence could be accompanied by kindness and warmth to all. I still think of him frequently. I remember many of his stories from rounds--from spending all day waiting to see a doctor at the Mayo Clinic, to meeting Jesse Owens on the street in Minnesota. He showed that a high stress, demanding career could be enjoyed, and that one could still find time to cheer at children's hockey games.
I feel privileged to have known him.
Stewart Wetchler
Robin,
What a life well lived. Your father's influence comes to us through you. It is a blessing.
May you and you family know peace.
With much respect and admiration,
Deb
Betty Lee & Family,
Your family was special to us and Dr. Lee was so supportive when I arrived at Homestead as an intern pastor. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in his homegoing . We hold very fond memories of precious moments shared with you all. Now may the grace of God bless you, Betty Lee and family, as you have been a blessing to so many.
Shalom,
Rev. and Mrs. Jerry (Dee) Cole
Oxford,Oohio
Thinking of you with much love. Ray was a dear friend.
Martha and I both remember picking up Dr. Lee at Robin's house to take back to the Nashville airport or at Vanderbilt University to take to Robin's house after a seminar. He was always delightful to talk to, most times we compared notes on our respective Methodist Church's. A fine Christian gentleman!
Dr. Lee is one of the kindest men I have ever met. He was such a wonderful doctor not only because of his skill as a surgeon but also because of his kindness and gentleness. In Dec. of 1991 Dr. Lee told me I would be his last gynecological surgery, all I could think was what a loss to so many other woman who would never know his skill or kindness. I will always remember what a wonderful doctor and man he was.
Susan L Daniels
Robin, You and your family are in my prayers. Although I didn't know your father, I know he raised a beautiful daughter. I'm sure he was a wonderful man. Love to you, your mother and your siblings.
Amy Ellis
Sharing a memory...My first position at Mayo was as a medical secretary in 1963 for Drs. Decker, Mussey, and Smith. I became pregnant in late 1964 with my first child, and all of the obstetricians said, "Don't come to me!" and I had resigned myself to going to Olmsted Medical Group for care. Dr. Lee had just returned from the service and I was assigned to work for him. Being insightful of my dilemma he said to me, "Don't worry...I will take care of you." The next day he came to my desk with a brown paper sack full of maternity clothes that had belonged to Mrs. Lee. I was so grateful, as I was newly married and we had little money. He did embarrass me, however, by producing a garter belt from the sack and stating, "I don't know what this is!"
After returning from parental leave, I continued to work for Dr. Lee for approximately ten years, and both of us transitioned from Obstetrics to GYN Surgery. Working for Dr. Lee was a treasured assignment. Such a compassionate and caring man was he. I will remember him with fondness and respect, as will everyone whose life he touched. Thinking of you, Mrs. Lee, and your family. Please accept my condolences.
Barbara (Brobst) Pickett
Robin and family, I will be praying for all of you during these days of grief. May you feel God's presence in a special way. In Christ, Nancy Wetzel
I am saddened to hear of Dr. Lee's passing, though I know that he is at rest now.
Ray Lee was the consummate teacher for me personally, and for the countless surgeons worldwide who knew him for his masterful synthesis and performance of complex surgical issues. He had all the time in the world after any presentation, to discuss with each surgeon all of the individual cases that came in droves to him from the audience. He always had a thoughtful and thoroughly collegial approach to whatever problem was presented to him. Sometimes he would first agree with the presented approach, but then, a half smile would cross his face as he introduced in the next sentence a suggestion that there might be another way to approach an issue...always nuanced, always spot-on.
He was also known internationally both for his unending kindness for the patient and her family (yes, everyone knew of it!). He was the definition of patience towards and excellence for those under his care. Yet he was a tremendously humble man, always deflecting the many and well-deserved accolades that came his way. I remember one key-note speech in particular where he seriously introduced himself as a small-town doc and half the audience chuckled out-loud at his self-deference.
I have only the greatest respect for a man who was supposed to be an adversary, but never was. He was a great man whom all admired. For those of us who were priviledged to worked with him, I will never forget him, and what he taught by example in his life. I will always have the utmost admiration for his many talents.
My heart-felt condolescences to Betty and to his children and grandchildren. I will miss him.
Ray was a great man, our sincerest condolences to the entire family.
Sorry to hear about your Dad's passing Randy. He was a great doctor and man, many blessings to you and the rest of your family/
To the family of Ray,
I was deeply saddened this morning when I read of Ray's passing. He was truely one of the best loved persons that I can think of. Many fond memories from Homestead I will cherish.
Betty, my thoughts and prayers are with you, also, as you are just as loved.
My deepest sympaties to you and your family.
Brian
As a boy growing up in Rochester in the 1940s, I competed with and against Ray in elementary school and junior high sports. He was always a strong competitor who excelled at everything he did, on the playing field and in the classroom and, obviously, as a physician and surgeon. Since my dad was a Mayo Clinic physician -- I pursued a professional career with the YMCA myself -- I have an especially high regard for those who serve others through the practice of medicine. Rest in peace, Ray. Throughout your life you set a wonderful example for the rest of us to follow.
I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Lee in the late 1970s, an experience I will forever cherish. He was the greatest person I've ever worked for, kind, compassionate, gentle, serious, calm, stern, most of all caring. His greatest joy, his family. My heart goes out to you for your loss.
I have received so much pleasure from hearing stories about your life with your parents and the obvious love they shared toward each other and with their children. Your life is a reflection of that love. May the memories you have comfort you and your family along with the knowledge of God's enduring love.
Sincere condolences to you and your Mom, Laura, Paul and extended family,
Sherri
What a lovey tribute to your dad Robin. As I read, I thought how much you are like him. We send our condolences to you and your family. What an honor to have been his wife, daughter and son. May memories ease your broken hearts.
In friendship, Gary and Candy-Franklin, Ky
So very lovely. We are so sorry but certainly join in the celebration of such a wonderful life lived. Thank you for sharing so many parts of his life in what you wrote. Love to you Robin, your mom and all your family.
Dear Lee Family,
I remember the times you came to visit our family in Sharpsville, Indiana when I was young, and every once in a while I get out the old home movies and watch the old 8mm of the time we came to visit your family when I was about six or seven. We always got a kick out of getting your Christmas cards long after Christmas had come and gone. I know Mom and Dad cherished your friendship. Please accept my condolences for your loss. I know Ray will be missed by all.
Sincerely,
Sid Bowman (Son of Jack and Maggie)
Dear Lee Family, I must say he was truly a Christian man and was always nothing but kind I remember in 1968 when he stopped delivering babies and how he shed tears as he told me he was turning me over to another doctor. I will say he delivered that baby. He was a wonderful person and will always be remembered by all. You can be proud to be associated or related to such a fine person.
Former Patient and friend Janice Derby Roesler
Family of Dr. Ray Lee: God rest his soul and sympathy to wife Betty and family. regards, Joseph A. Pezzullo, Ph.D