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<p><em>Ronald Barry Lee</em> was born May 26, 1932 in Harlem, NY to Lillian and Kermit Lee and was raised in Springfield, MA.</p>
<p>He was the first black male from New England to be accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1954 as a second lieutenant with a Bachelor of Science degree. He would later earn an MBA from Syracuse University, an M.A. in political science, a Ph.D. (ABD) in management technology and public administration from American University, and an LL.D. from Western New England College. Ron had a career that spanned the military, business, and academia. He served with distinction in regular Army units in Vietnam, achieving the rank of major in 1965 while on active duty.</p>
<p>Ron was one of 15 members, and the only African American, accepted to the inaugural White House Fellows program (1965-66) under President Lyndon B. Johnson. After the fellowship, he continued to work at the post office at the request of Postmaster General Lawrence F. O’Brien as director of the Office of Planning and Systems Analysis. He then briefly left the government to assume the roles of assistant provost and director for the Center of Urban Affairs at Michigan State University. In 1969 he returned to the postal service at the request of the Richard M. Nixon administration to serve as Assistant Postmaster General. During his time at the postal service, he created Express Mail and was co-creator of MAILGRAM. Ron was selected as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men in government.</p>
<p>Ron then took his talents to the private sector, working 10 years for the XEROX Corporation. During that time, he was active on various boards and taught and lectured at many universities. In 1982 he created a management consultant company and worked with major companies and governments such as Coca-Cola, AT&T, KFC, Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Premier of Bermuda, and President of Nigeria, continuing his quest to improve the business world and its operations. In 2010, Ron suffered a stroke, causing him to unofficially retire. Although he was left with moderate expressive aphasia, he had a remarkable recovery. Ron was an exceptional writer, displaying a witty tone and rhetoric that required the reader use a dictionary. He was also an excellent poet and storyteller. Apart from accolades and professional experiences, Ron loved God, and his faith in him was in surmountable. He loved reading scriptures and narrating passages in his signature, low-resonating, authoritative voice. Ron was often whistling or humming an old tune, songs that made his children laugh, or singing to them in Japanese. He loved traveling and had been to many parts of the world.</p>
<p>With a defining zest for life, sarcastic sense of humor, perfect English and formal language, Ron always made an unforgettable impression on those he met. He never let the racial, ageist, or religious adversity he faced throughout his lifetime subjugate him. Ever the optimist, he was keen on remaining loyal to his values and was as involved as possible in the lives of his children and loved ones. Ron believed in hard work, faith, and focus (which was his lifelong motto). </p>
<p>Ron passed away on December 15, 2020 in Las Vegas, NV from complications related to COVID-19. He will be forever missed but certainly not forgotten, a kind husband, loving father, and stalwart saint. Preceded in death by his son Dean and his brother Kermit, Ron is survived by his three children: Brett (Kelsy), Brooke (Joe), and Brynne, and his and five grandchildren. Ron is also survived by his brother William and his sisters, Judy (Pete) and Debbie (Doug), and by many special nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.</p>
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