Richard W. S. Lee

Richard W.S. Lee, 89, died at his home in Bluffton SC on December 23, 2016. He was born November 24, 1928 to the late Bernard and Grace Lee. Eventually, the family settled in Hong Kong and lived under Japanese occupation during World War II. He studied aeronautical mechanics at the Far East Flight Training School in Hong Kong before becoming a physics major at Ling-Nan University in Canton, China for 3 years. After immigrating to the United States, he studies architecture at the University of Hawaii and Washington State University in Pulman. Richard is survived by devoted wife, Anne, whom he met when he came to take piano lessons; sons Bruce and Brian, Brothers Bruce (Lethia) and Harold, and Sister Anne Ludewig (Andy), grandchildren Jessica, Patrick, Erica, Cassandra, and Angie, and great grandchildren Hannah and Elija. He was predeceased by his son, Greg. At the time of his retirement, Richard had active architectural licenses in California, Arizona, and Washington State. Among his architectural projects were numerous private homes, churches, schools, and HUD projects, a 72 unit faculty housing building for UCLA in Los Angeles, a 10 story hotel in West Hollywood, a 6 story Edgewater Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada, the Rodeo Collection shopping mall in Beverly Hills, CA, the St. Johns Hospital in Port Townsend, WA, the vacation home of the late Bing Crosby in Haden Lake, Idaho, and the open-space design and planning of the 450 unit College Lake Apartment complex in Tacoma, WA. In addition to his Architectural work, Richard took great pleasure in the owning and running of his Chinese restaurant in Torrance, CA for the 8 years prior to moving to Sun City in Bluffton. Richard was known for his sharp intellect, his profound love of classical music, his voracious reading, and his gourmet Chinese cooking which delighted his friends. He will be greatly missed by those who loved and treasured him. Profound thanks go to Patricia Roque for her devoted and dedicated caregiving beyond the call of duty, which brought so much joy and comfort to him this last year, the help of her sister Reyna Carroll, nephew Alex Rendon, Czarisse Epres and to his granddaughter, Cassie, who brightened his days with her love and care by visiting regularly while studying in Greenville, SC. Donations may be made to the Deep Well Project or the Lift and Assist Program of the fire department just outside Sun City. His family is honoring Richard’s wishes not to have a funeral service. Friends may offer condolences at saulsfh.com.