Name: Visitation for Richard R. Lee
Start: 2021-04-25T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2021-04-25T22:00:00.000Z
Location: Swan-Law Funeral Directors

Lee
BRIGADIER GENERAL [RET.] RICHARD R. LEE
March 16, 1933 April 4, 2021
Brigadier General [Ret.] Richard R. Lee, who served 38 years in the Air Force, passed away on April 4, 2021. Gen. Lee was a loving and adored husband, father, and grandfather; and a leader who exemplified honor and humility.
Richard was born on 16 March 1933, in Shelby, North Carolina, a little east of Mooresboro. He was the oldest of five children and had three sisters and one brother. In 1951, he married Elizabeth Penson, his high school sweetheart and the love of his life.
Richard graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1955 with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. He then attended UNC Law School and, in 1958, graduated with honors and received his Juris Doctorate. After graduation, he applied for and received a commission in the Air Force.
He spent several tours of duty in Arizona, South Carolina, England and Germany. But by far his longest tour of service was with the Air Force Academy, where he served as a professor in the Department of Law from 1963-1979; then returned to the Academy in 1988 to serve as the Law Department's Permanent Professor and Department Head.
He retired effective 1 April 1996; at which time he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. During the retirement and promotion ceremony, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Second Oak Leaf Cluster, which read in part:
"Richard R. Lee distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Permanent Professor and Head, Department of Law, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado, from 15 July 1988 to 31 March 1997. Lee created and administered one of the nation's premiere undergraduate Legal Studies majors, contributed significantly to Academy-wide curriculum integration and improvement, and inspired the men and women in his department to consistently perform in the top ten percent of all officers in the Dean of the Faculty organization as indicated in classroom effectiveness and organizational climate surveys. He inspired departmental instructors to teach legal concepts in the context of solving ill-defined problems through critical thinking rather than through rote memorization of rules unrelated to context. He played a major role in restructuring the Cadet Honor System along more efficient and effective lines and involved departmental instructors in the Honor Code process to ensure due process at all stages. As a vital member of the Academy Board, he assisted three Superintendents in fulfilling responsibilities involving admissions, disenrollments, military training, and academic reform. The Academy's athletic programs were immeasurably strengthened by Lee's strong support not only as an Academy Board member, but also as an active member and Chairman of the Academy Athletic Advisory Committee. Lee's inspired leadership and commitment to academic and military excellence has left on the Academy the indelible stamp of a "Soldier-Scholar" who made a difference. Lee's singularly distinctive accomplishments culminated a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."
For all of the experiences, awards, and honors he received, Richard Lee remained true to himself, humble and a gentleman. Above all, a man of integrity.
Richard is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; sons Mark (Donna) and John (Katherine), grandsons Garrett and Kevin and his sister, Gail Rimes.
Visitation will be held at Swan Law Funeral Directors, 501 North Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903 from 3 p.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday April 25, 2021. Services will be held at the USAF Academy Memorial Pavilion located at the cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on April 26, 2021. Due to COVID and security restrictions, non-military guests who would like to attend must contact Swan Law Funeral Directors at (719) 471-9900 by April 13, 2021 with your name, date of birth, and driver license number and state of issue.

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Published by The Gazette on Apr. 11, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Lee

14 Entries

Frank and Susie Wright

December 31, 2021

A wonderful man, mentor, and friend - who will be greatly missed.

Mary Lois cazin

October 1, 2021

What a great life! He will be missed. Love,. Mary Lois Cazin

Diane, Jeff, Jamy, and Randi

Sent Flowers

Ed Hunt

April 23, 2021

To Mrs. Lee and the entire Lee family,

My wife Karen and I were saddened to hear about Brigadier General Lee's passing. Although General Lee and I shared experiences associated with the Air Force Academy, my cherished memory was when General Lee was the US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) Staff Judge Advocate (SJA - senior leader and top Air Force legal advisor in Europe). At the time, I was an SJA at a small base in Germany. He was a tremendous legal advisor and mentor to young judge advocates. Karen and I will always remember when he (and Mrs. Lee) provided gracious “top-cover” for both of us when The Judge Advocate General (TJAG), his entourage, and their spouses visited our small base in the late 1980's. The TJAG's visiting party was three times as large as our small legal office. General Lee graciously emphasized to the TJAG's team the unique legal challenges I was facing in Germany. In addition, Mrs. Lee was the right-hand guide to my wife Karen as they together managed the accompanying spouses' agenda and social activities.

On a few other occasions at legal conferences, I remember the joy Gen Lee had when we could break away from the myriad of legal issues and engage in spirited golf tournaments. He ensured all participants had a fun time, whether they played golf or not.

In the recent past, we've had the chance to reminisce at Air Force Academy tailgates about the good old days. We will miss him dearly and pray that the Lord holds the Lee family in palm of His hand and comforts them in this time.

Blessings,

Ed & Karen Hunt
USAFA '78
Air Force JAG (1981-2007)

Karla G and Wes Spencer

Sent Flowers

Shayne and Garrett Lee

Sent Flowers

T L and Violetta Spencer

Sent Flowers

Betsy and Jason Cigarran

Sent Flowers

Shawn Mulligan

Planted Trees

Nathan Owen Rosenberg

April 12, 2021

General Lee was my professor for Constitutional Law. He was an amazing teacher who brought the Constitution, the Supreme Court, the case method, and the process by which the Supreme Court's rulings make the law of the land. When I started in that class, I was a little afraid of him. As the semester went on, he showed a warmth, passion, and caring that transformed how I saw him. God bless Richard Lee.

Dr. Robert A Zawacki

April 11, 2021

Dear Richards Family:

My wife Jimmie and I send our sincere condolences on Richards passing.
His achievements at AFA were many. In addition to being a super patriot and excellent USAF officer, he never lost his touch for fellow military members. I was at the AF Academy from 1966 to 1975 and worked with Richard on many occasions. As the chief legal officer at the Academy, I worked directly for General Seith and Gen Robin Olds. I was responsible for cadet conduct and cadets with lack of aptitude for commissioned service. We always asked for Dick's recommendation before we sent a cadet's case before the Academy Board. He was always direct in his opinions but also very considerate to the cadet involved. After he retired, I would see him in the Academy Commissary and we had many chats about "the old days." An outstanding Father, Officer and peer of many officers at AFA. Hand Salute. Dr. Robert A. and Jimmie L. Zawacki (1966-1975 AFA and then 30 years at CU)

Steve Young

April 11, 2021

The Buckley AFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for BGen Lee's 38 years of distinguished service to our country in the Air Force. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley AFB at 720-847-6693. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.

Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley AFB RAO

Steve Young

April 11, 2021

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