Robert E. Lee

Robert Edward (Bob) Lee died Aug. 16. He was 85.

Lee was born in San Francisco, California to Edward and Helen Lee. After graduation from St. Ignatius he went into the Army. His name caused some problems when he received his basic military training in the deep south of Georgia. He had to receive his mail separately since when they called out his name, “Robert E. Lee,” it always set off loud rebel yells.

After graduating from Cogswell Technical College (now university) in San Francisco, he was recruited by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he was employed for 41 years. Lee was married to Elidia Suazo, the love of his life, for 44 years. Elidia even let him work on his motorcycle in the kitchen. Lee was a loving husband who gave his wife the world. Together they traveled extensively and enjoyed their cabin in Sugar Pine where Lee taught their nieces to fish. They loved to entertain and had wonderful Easter dinners. He was famous for his gin fizzes and playing his guitar.

Lee was very close to his brother, Bill, who has many youthful memories of his arising from the basement covered in grease after restoring a Model T Ford and Mercury convertible. Lee once invited his brothe to go have pizza. When Bill said yes, Lee immediately produced two first class tickets to Rome and off they went. They had their pizza and then toured the Vatican and the restoration of the Necropolis beneath Saint Peters.

Lee’s interests were eclectic. Working on automobiles since a teenager, he later made Cobra kit cars in his garage. He was a member of the Porsche Club (he owned many Porsches, earning him the nickname “Porsche Bob”) and the Blackhawk Museum. He was an award-winning trap shooter and belonged to both the Livermore-Pleasanton Rod and Gun Club and the Martinez Gun Club. He enjoyed photography and took many breathtaking pictures of his travels. He was kind and generous, had a smile for everyone and his sense of humor was legendary.

Lee was a long-time active member of St. Charles Borromeo Church and was a generous supporter of their backpack program for children and he also supported the Tri-Valley Haven food pantry.

Lee was preceded in death by his wife, Elidia, and is survived by his brother, William Lee; his nieces, Louise Lee, Monica Sheirich; sister-in-law, Oralia Rae Sauzo; nieces, Agnes Suazo, Susan Sanchez, Cecilia Suazo; and nephews, Kevin Sauzo and Duane Sauzo.

Lee requested that no service be held, but he was included in the regular mass on Sept. 8 at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 1315 Lomitas Ave., Livermore. He will be laid to rest in Durango, Colorado beside his beloved wife, Elidia.

An online guestbook is available for condolences.