In Memoriam
Robert K. Lee
1943-2025
(Photo provided)
COOPERSTOWN—Robert K. Lee, 81, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2025.
Born in Glens Falls, New York on May 15, 1943, to EK and Lucille Lee, Rob excelled in wrestling during high school and earned the honor of becoming a decorated Eagle Scout. He graduated from Hartwick College in 1965, where he continued his passion for wrestling, and went on to receive his master’s degree from Ohio University in 1967.
After completing his studies, Rob embarked on an adventurous journey, backpacking through the islands of Japan with a close friend before volunteering for the Peace Corps, where he was stationed in Guam for two years.
In the early 1970s, Rob settled in the Cooperstown area, where he originally worked as a stonemason, married, and raised four children. Throughout his professional life, he pursued a variety of endeavors, including stonemasonry, marketing, advertising, and real estate development. However, his true passion was real estate, where his natural ability to connect with people shined, and which he continued to practice into the final year of his life.
Rob was a voracious reader and loved spending time outdoors. He enjoyed racquet sports, hunting, fishing and any activity that brought him into nature.
He is survived by his four children, Tyler, Justin, Kristina, and Chase, who will forever cherish his adventurous spirit, deep love of learning, and connection to the outdoors.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Rob’s memory may be made to any of the following environmental organizations: World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy or Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).
So sorry to hear about Rob…I have always cherished the conversations that we had, whether they be about real estate or life in general.
He will be sorely missed.
A steadfast friend whose kindness was always evident and whose sense of humor never failed to cheer me up.
Safe travels, Rob, and I will bring you that roast beef sandwich you asked Julian and I for last week… come hell, high water, or in your case, heaven.
Dear Tyler, Justin, Kristina and Chase,
I’m sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I met him in about 1970 when he and Bill Parsons were working for the Cooperstown legend and master stone mason, Pete Jones. We all had many great times together at the Pit for years. I’ll share a good story here. When Rob lived on what we called five ton bridge road, Wiley Town Road, he rented one of his houses there to three reprobates: Fred Mcgown, Jimmy Reynolds and Decker Ayers. Rob came over one night to collect the month’s rent. Well, they got him so wasted, he went home forgetting to collect. He came over the next day to get the rent and they told him they had paid him the night before and he most have lost it on the way home! Eventually, they paid up.
Rob Lee had a sharp, skilled intellect and used it very well in every venture he took on. He spoke his mind. Some people found that irritating, but I found it refreshingly real. We never had a dull conversation together. I will miss his good company. My heart goes out to you all.
Respectfully and sincerely,
Shade
Donna Thomson
I knew Rob Lee for many years. I sold a house for him that he owned on Main Street in Cooperstown. I sold him a camp on the west side of the lake in Cooperstown. Rob was always a gentleman. My son was threatened by a Mr Florzack, a businessman on Main Street in Cooperstown. When I got wind of it, I went to Florzack’s office to confront him, which was a mistake. Florzack was alone in his office and became violent and aggressive. Rob had an office across the hall, heard the commotion and came running into the office and got me safely out of there. I was very lucky and always so thankful to him for his quick response. After Rob got his real estate license, we worked together on a few sales. He was a great broker, honest, professional and successful. Whenever I would run into him we shared entertaining conversations and some good laughter. His children were his pride and joy. I was sorry to learn of his passing. I will miss our lively conversations. Condolences to his children. May he rest in peace, he was a good man.