REV. DR. ROBERT A. LEE 10/4/1947 - 9/18/2011 BURLINGTON - The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Lee died suddenly of a heart attack on Sept. 18, 2011. Bob served as a United Church of Christ (UCC) pastor for almost 40 years, most recently as Senior Minister at the First Congregational Church of Burlington for 19 years. Previously, he served in Williamstown, Mass., Long Island, N.Y. and Wilmette, Ill. before coming to Vermont. The friends that he made during those years were lifelong. A 1969 graduate of Williams College, Bob attended Union Theological Seminary and New York Theological Seminary before receiving a Master of Divinity degree from the Iliff School of Theology in 1973. In 1986, Chicago Theological Seminary awarded him the Doctor of Divinity degree in recognition of his work in the Sanctuary Movement. Bob was an acknowledged leader in the UCC. He was a founding member of Christians for Justice Action, vice-chair of the Executive Council, a director of the Justice and Witness Ministries and a Trustee of the Pension Board. Recently retired, Bob and his beloved wife Donna were enjoying the best of Vermont as they divided their time between their home in South Burlington and their camp in Coles Pond, Vt. Bob was intent on developing new skills in woodworking and had made guitars for a son and several pieces of furniture for their homes. He and Donna delighted in seeing our beautiful state from their motorcycle as they explored "Roads less traveled." Bob's book of sermons will be published shortly: The Carpenter's Apprentice: Reflections from a Pastor's Toolbox. Always concerned about social justice issues, Bob led his congregations in Illinois and Vermont into a strong relationship with the Premkumar family in South India. The James Hospital in Colachel, India had been established by the family. Through over 25 years, Bob worked with the family to increase the ability of the hospital to serve the Colachel Community. Today the facility includes a five-floor hospital, a school of nursing and a Teachers' Training College. Recently, Bob and Donna have developed a close relationship with refugee families from the Congo including Cleophace Kyendamina and Malinga Makunda who have become family to them. In addition to his First Congregational Church family, Bob leaves his wife and soul mate, Donna, after 20 years of marriage; his sons, Gabriel Lee and wife, Ai, and their sons, Tao and Noa, of Yokohama, Japan; Benjamin of Boston, and Daniel of Maputo, Mozambique. He also leaves his mother, Helen Lee of Greensboro, N.C.; his brother, George Lee and wife, Beth Nichols, of Wellesley, Mass.; his sister, Rev. Mary Lee-Clark and her husband, Bruce Lee-Clark, of Bennington, Vt.; four nieces and nephews, Alex, Meredith, Nancy and David; as well as four special godchildren, Bernadette, King and Amani Kyendamina, and Robert Premkumar. Bob was predeceased by his father, Albert Lee of Greensboro, N.C.; and his mother-in-law, Elsie Geiger of Mesa, Ariz. A service celebrating his life will be held at First Congregational Church, 38 S. Winooski Ave., Burlington, on Monday, Sept. 26, 2011, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Rev. Robert A. Lee Memorial Fund at the First Congregational Church of Burlington.