Joseph C. Lee

At 13, amid the Chinese Civil War, Joseph fled to Taiwan, where he later earned a degree in electrical engineering from National Taiwan University in 1958. After serving two years in the navy, he pursued further education in the United States, earning a master’s degree from the University of Utah and a Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1969—both in electrical engineering, his lifelong passion. Between his studies, he worked at Hewlett-Packard in Palo Alto, California.

In 1964, Joseph met the love of his life, Jane Ko. They married in 1967 and built a wonderful life together, welcoming their son, Charles, in 1970 and their daughter, Karen, in 1971.

For over 40 years, Joseph dedicated his career to the MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, Massachusetts, where he made significant contributions to his field. He retired in 2015 and moved to Dallas, Texas, to be closer to family.

A devout Christian, Joseph’s faith was the cornerstone of his life. He served as a dedicated deacon at the Lexington Chinese Church, embodying his deep commitment to service and community. He loved teaching math and physics, most recently sharing his knowledge with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed watching basketball and playing Chinese chess.

Joseph will be fondly remembered for his kindness, generosity, and unwavering devotion to his family. His brilliant mind and gentle spirit touched the lives of all who knew him.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jane K. Lee; his son, Charles Lee, and daughter-in-law, Sandy Lee; his daughter, Karen Lee; his brothers, Tim Li and Raymond Lee; and his cherished grandchildren, Sophie Hung, Alex Hung, Ryan Lee, and Seth Lee. He was preceded in death by his sister, Sheree Lee Wang.

A memorial service for Joseph will be held Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Dallas Chinese Bible Church, 1707 Campbell Trail, Richardson, TX 75082.