Page 84 - Laguna Blanca Magazine Summer 2018

IN LOVING MEMORY
LAGUNA BLANCA MAGAZINE
82
141719_lb_mag_SUMMER18_Cx2.indd
2000. In 2007, Stephen moved to Walnut
Creek to reside at Rossmoor.
He enjoyed jazz music and was a gifted
drummer. Beginning in his high school
years, he frequently performed in numerous
local bands throughout his life.
Stephen also was a fan of comedy,
especially Laurel and Hardy. He went on
to pursue comedy playwriting and founded
the Backyard Players. Between 1954 and
1993 he wrote and produced 35 community
plays in the Ridgecrest and China Lake
area. These productions by the well-known
Stephen Lee pictured third from left.
Backyard Players became very popular,
eventually drawing local audiences in the
DR. STEPHEN LEE ’41 hundreds at every performance.
Stephen avidly and seriously collected
Stephen Mead Lee, 93, of Walnut Creek, passed away on postage stamps throughout his life from
December 11 in a local hospital. He was born November 22, boyhood, being very active in several local
1924 in Santa Barbara, California. stamp clubs. He also was a collector of
Stephen grew up in Santa Barbara, where he graduated classic comic strips and rare books. He
from Laguna Blanca School in 1941. He then attended enjoyed magic and was a skilled amateur
California Institute of Technology in Pasadena prior to joining magician.
the U.S. Navy in 1943. Mr. Lee served during World War II in Stephen also excelled in golf, being one
the Asiatic-Pacific Area until 1946. His father and both of his of the 23 founding original participants in
brothers also served in the Navy during the war. the long-running Death Valley Invitational
After the war, while attending the University of California, Golf Tournament. This event was held for
Santa Barbara, he met Colleen Ann Sears and they married almost 40 years dating back to 1961.
in 1948. Colleen and Stephen went on to enjoy 58 years of He is survived by his daughters,
marriage and raised two daughters and a son. Alison Lee, of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania,
In 1953, he and his wife moved to the Ridgecrest and and Jennifer Lee, of Walnut Creek; son,
China Lake area, where they made their home for 47 years. Chris Lee of El Dorado Hills; and four
There at the Naval Weapons Center, Stephen enjoyed a grandchildren.
long and rewarding career in U.S. Government service as an
accomplished scientist and mathematician. In 1985, he was
in 1987 by the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award. He
the recipient of the prestigious Commander’s Award, followed
then retired after 34 years of service. During that time period,
Stephen attended the University of California, Los Angeles
(M.A., 1964), and Arizona State University (Ph.D., 1973).
The couple later moved to Lake Camanche North Shore in
82 7/11/18 5:00 PM