Robert Martin Lee, 90, Bob Lee Airport Road, DeLand, owner of Bob Lee Airport, an aviation pioneer, died Friday, May 18, 2007, at Florida Hospital DeLand. "Bob" Lee was born March 11, 1917, in Madison, Wis., and moved to this area in 1952. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Mad-ison, before being trained as one of the first air traffic controllers. Bob began his career in aviation when he built and piloted a hang glider in 1935 and earned his pilot's license in 1941 and spent a lifetime in aviation. Since he was already working for the government as an air traffic controller stationed in Louisville, Ky., when World War II broke out, he was sent to Rio de Janiero where he worked with the Brazilian troops keeping watch for any German submarines in the South Atlantic. After the war, he heard about decommissioned Navy airbases in Florida and flew down from his airstrip in Charlestown, Ind., to investigate. While in West Palm, he heard about the former DeLand Naval Air Station and flew to see it. He met with former DeLand Airport manager, Mr. McDaniels, and rented the DeLand Airport in 1952, where he started Lee Flying Service. In 1958, he moved his family and business to its present location north of DeLand. He operated Bob Lee Airport until his death. Bob is predeceased by his wife of 46 years, Clara A. Survivors include three sons: Robert M. Lee, Jr., Ft. Lauderdale, Charles E. Lee, Boca Raton, and Rich A. Lee, DeLand; three daughters: Anne L. Sweeny (Tim Sweeny), DeLeon Springs, Melissa L. Borghorst (Mark Borghorst), DeLeon Springs, Rebecca L. Sparaccio, Dunnellon; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A tribute to his life will be at the Wright Brothers hangar at Bob Lee Airport, Sunday, May 27, 2007, at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to DeLand Naval Air Station Museum, 910 Biscayne Boulevard, DeLand, FL 32724.