Jeffrey Brian Lee

Jeffrey Brian Lee - husband, father, grandfather, doctor, and friend – was an institution, a legend who has touched the lives of countless people. We are deeply saddened that he passed away on March 16th at age 73 after a courageous fight with cancer.

He was born to Gilbert Ping Lee and Lillian K. Lee in Hanford, CA. As a child, he was hardworking and helped with the family businesses. He accelerated through his schools in Tulare and attended Menlo Junior College at age sixteen. There, he competed in football, basketball, and tennis. He received a B.A. in Psychology at UC Berkeley and earned his doctorate at UC Berkeley’s School of Optometry.

Jeff had a profound love of life that led to many adventures, friends, and hilarious anecdotes. He loved learning about people – everyone had a story and his friendly, sincere, engaging manner drew those stories out of people. All who knew him will remember his jovial, infectious laugh that could make a single stranger double over in laughter or light up an entire room of people.

His hobbies and skills were wide ranging because he seized opportunities to learn and have fun. An avid cyclist, he looked forward to his yearly bike trips with his friends where they would ride their bikes across entire states. He had a passion for food – vacations were planned around where to eat. Discovering regional cuisines and dining with locals was his way of really getting to know whatever area he was visiting. He was eager to give out restaurant recommendations spanning the entire country and beyond. Jeff was always willing to jump into the next adventure. In junior college, he accepted a friend’s invitation to take driving classes, which led to seven years of Firestone-sponsored amateur race car driving.

Jeff gave selflessly to his family, friends, and community. If there was a need, he would meet it – whether helping the community through Lions Club and Rotary Club, giving eye exams to elementary students, cooking Christmas meals for those in need, or sponsoring local sports teams, charities, or non-profit groups. He also enjoyed teaching optometry students, sharing not only his experience and knowledge, but his passion for the field. Optometry was the perfect profession for him – he could solve challenging problems and raise the quality of life of others. Yet his favorite part of practicing optometry was that it gave him the opportunity to chat and build relationships with his patients.

Jeff shared his zest of life with his wife, Susan; children, Matthew and Meghan; and grandchildren, Karyss, Kieran, and Miles. He relished in experiencing the world through their eyes.

Jeff’s legacy lives in the memories he has created and the way he has impacted so many people. For those who knew this remarkable man, his life continues through the good things we will all do because of his influence.

A memorial celebration in his honor will be held at a later date.

Remembrances may be made to the Lee Family Greatest Needs Fund for Pre-Health Students, to provide aid for UC Merced students in the pre-health program.

Donations can be made directly at https://engage.ucmerced.edu/lee-family-pre-health-student-support

Checks can be mailed to the following address. Please note “Lee Family Pre-Health Support” in the memo line.

University of California, Merced

Attn: Gift Administration

5200 North Lake Road

Merced, CA 95343