James Wideman Lee II ’28

James Wideman Lee II died Sept. 5, 1999. A large part of his life was devoted to Princeton and his class. Before college he prepared at Hotchkiss. After college he joined Ivy Lee and T. J. Ross, public relations counselors, becoming a partner in 1934 while representing the firm overseas from 1933-35. In 1938 he moved to Detroit to counsel the Chrysler Corp., returning to NYC in 1959.

In 1961, he and his wife, Betty Buechner Lee, bought the Barrows House, an inn in Dorset, Vt., which they ran until 1972. There Jim continued his civic interests as a selectman, volunteer fireman, and active church member. Well into his 70s, Jim was an avid tennis player, hunter, and skier. But he also made a special place throughout his life for Princeton and his class. He edited the class directory for 30 years, was a member of the executive committee, class v.p. and pres., chairman of the 65th reunion, and architect of the 70th when he stepped back from his five-year presidency to become class secretary. He was also a term trustee of the university.

Jim is survived by his wife, May; his daughters Penelope Ludwin, Patricia McCormack, and Elizabeth Louise Sanstead; his brother, Ivy L. Jr.; also by his stepdaugthers Katherine Lingamfelter, Janet Stoner, and Cynthia Foote Himble; six grandchildren, and eight step-grandchildren. The class extends sympathy to Jim's wife "Peter" and their families.

The Class of 1928