St. Louis is remembering a giant in philanthropy, business and leadership.
E. Desmond Lee died Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at St. John’s Hospital after suffering a stroke last week. He was 92.
Lee was born August 6, 1917 in Sikeston, Mo. and grew up in Columbia, Mo. He earned a scholarship and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washington University in 1940. He was captain of the basketball team and served as a captain after joining the U.S. Army during World War II.
After military service, Lee, his father, Edgar, college classmate Jim Rowan and Rowan’s father founded the Lee-Rowan manufacturing company. Its first product was a patented metal trouser creaser and hanger sold to department stores. Lee-Rowan later became a wire-shelving business which was sold in 1993.
Lee used the money for local philanthropy, giving more than $70 million throughout the years, mostly to children’s organizations and schools. Lee founded the Des Lee Collaborative Vision, which endowed professorships at three St. Louis universities, among many similar initiatives.
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra was another notable beneficiary of Lee’s generosity. Fred Bronstein, president of SLSO, said, “His support was tremendous, not just in treasure but in spirit. Des always understood the challenges inherent in sustaining a great orchestra and never lacked optimism and belief that it was a vital institution to this city.”
Lee was a benefactor to and served on the boards of numerous civic organizations, including Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club, the YMCA, United Way of Greater St. Louis, the St. Louis Science Center, the St. Louis Zoo, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Missouri Historical Society, Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis, St. Louis Art Museum, and Ranken Technical College. He also funded scholarships at a number of local universities.
He earned numerous awards for outstanding philanthropy including the 2004 NAACP Humanitarian Award, the Right Arm of St. Louis Award from the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, and the National Outstanding Philanthropist Award. Worth magazine ranked him one of the 100 most generous Americans.
Lee is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Lee; his children Gary Lee (Marilyn), of St. Louis; Christy Pope (Bill) of Aspen, Colo.; and Gayle Lee, of Wickenburg, Ariz.; four grandchildren, David Lee, a professional basketball player with the New York Knicks of the NBA; Elizabeth Johnson (David) of Greensboro, N.C.; Desmond Duggan of Aspen, Colo.; Lyrica Marquez of Nashville, Tenn.; and two great grandchildren.
He is also survived by his stepchildren Andrew C. Taylor (Barbara) and Jo Ann Taylor Kindle (Tom), and his step-grandchildren Christine Taylor Broughton (Lee), Patricia Taylor, Carolyn Kindle and Alison Kindle, all of St. Louis, and Kelly Taylor of Delray, Fla.
Funeral arrangements are pending. The family requests that memorial donations be made to one of Lee’s favorite charities