January 6, 2025, 11:00 AM, Folsom Funeral Home, Westwood, MA
I am Don Ng, first cousin to Ruth Ang Lee. Our fathers followed their father who first sojourned to America in 1910 to make a new life. These three sons bought a 3-family flat building at 166 Quincy Street in Roxbury. Sem, Shirley, Ling, Jimmy, and Peter’s grandfather occupied the first floor, Ruth, Melvin, and Donna’s father lived on the second floor, and my father and his 4 sons, Richard, Philip, Steven and I resided on the third floor. We have fond childhood memories.
Ruth being the oldest of all of us brought Bob Lee into the family and we were all blessed. It’s not easy to have an outsider join this very close-knit family and be welcomed. But Bob was not like any other. As younger cousins, we always looked up to Ruth and Melvin but now we also looked up to Bob.
Like our own fathers who enlisted in the US military to not only to gain citizenship, Bob surpassed any expectations by becoming an active American. He was willing to give his life for his new country. When he returned home, he became personally involved in civic life and contributed to the welfare of his neighbors. He was a Rotarian, a Mason, an Elk, a Lion, a Shriner, and many other community-based civic organizations. How can anyone be more American than that! Now whenever I enter a new town and see the billboard that lists all of these organizations that meet here, I will think about Bob.
When I heard and showed interest that Bob participated in Civil War re-enactments, he pulled out maps of battlefields and pictures showing how the cost of freedoms in the US requires sacrifices and dedication to democracy. I joked with him whether he was dressed as a Union or a Confederate soldier!
We have heard that Bob was a renaissance man who read widely and enjoyed deep conversations. He was the kind of person you invite to a party to ensure that it will be successful. Bob’s multi-dimensional character reminds me of a passage in the book of Ephesians (4:14-16). Apostle Paul was reminding this early church that everyone is divinely gifted and given a purpose in life to mature into a full stature of Christ.
Bob was not “tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine,” but he was certain about his convictions because he was a faithful Christian who incorporated all the arts, science, and humanities into his life. Bob practiced hospitality and generosity with friends near and far because he spoke “the truth in love and grew in every way into Christ.” And when Bob lived in Christ, he like Christ created a family life that had “every part working properly together in love.”
I remember Bob was cooking a dish for us to enjoy some years ago in the kitchen or maybe outside on a barbecue. He would then present it to us proudly as an art masterpiece. He never cooked the books at Dean Witter but cooked every delectable dish for our stomachs to enjoy.
Many of us came to Ruth and Bob’s 50th wedding anniversary in 2019 when there was great food. And two years ago, many of us were together again for a family reunion at his home in West Roxbury when there was great food once again.
Following their father’s footsteps, Robert and Josh are now hosting, entertaining and cooking to gather people together to be the beloved community. Whether it is in life or in death, our family comes together to remember and become stronger still simply because we are here together.
Bob’s life will continue on as you remember Bob Lee’s life and the many blessings he has bestowed on you.
Donald Ng
1.6.2025