Melvin Richard Lee

Melvin Richard (Dick) Lee, aged 88, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2025, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born on December 24, 1936, in Huntington, Indiana, the beloved youngest child of Melvin Francis (Jack) and Bernice Lee.

As a young man, Dick served in the Indiana National Guard. While still living in Huntington, he was active in the community and served a term as President of the Optimist Club there, and his optimism remained with him throughout his life. He and his family later moved to Crystal Lake, Illinois before moving to Fort Wayne.

Dick lived a life full of love, generosity, and devotion. He married Judith Knight, with whom he shared his three children. In 1993, he married Mary Jenkins Swoveland Lee, whom he met at a golf outing where she was intrigued by “his golden voice and his silver hair”. Together they shared 32 years of marriage. Their life was filled with family, laughter, a keen interest in learning, banter about politics, many meals with friends and neighbors, a love of travel, sailing, golf, and many fun adventures in their RV.

He will be remembered for his steady support of and love for his family, both immediate and extended, his over 50 years working with HAM radio (W9NVU), and his time at WBOI as a radio host, his love of music and singing, his woodworking and many gifts to friends of beautiful turned bowls, his ardent support of the Chicago Cubs, his constant pursuit of the next new “toy” and hobby, and for serving as the family’s “help desk” with anything electronic or computer related. Family will also always remember his spaghetti dinners on his Christmas Eve birthday. After he retired, Dick enjoyed many years of golfing in the Parks Department Senior League with his dear golf partners and in a couple’s league with Mary where lasting friendships were forged. For 16 years, Dick and Mary were snowbirds in Florida, and developed a wonderful community of friends there.

Dick’s career was as varied as his interests, including real estate and insurance sales, but his favorite and final career was working for the Frank Campisano Company for 22 years as a Manufacturer’s Representative specializing in electronic components. There he amassed many sales awards and enjoyed professional relationships at myriad companies in this region.

Dick is survived by his loving wife, Mary; his son, Mark Lee (Cathy); daughter, Kathryn Hewett (John); and stepdaughter, Jennifer Laux (Rod). He was blessed with grandchildren: Marcus Lee (Katherine), Jacob Lee (Gabrielle), Andrew Lee (Sara), Justin Lee (Ashley), Josh Lee, Arielle Hoersten (Cory), Taylor Talik (Austin), Autumn Graber (Cameron Manning), and Paige Graber. He also loved and enjoyed 11 great-grandchildren: Wyatt, Jocelyn and Anneliese Lee, Charlotte, Jane and Violet Lee, Lyla Wisel and Ada Hoersten, and Beckham, Claire and Brooks Talik. He is also survived by nieces and nephew, Ann Scott (Bill), Brenda Proegler (John), Craig Lee (Judy), Deborah Scott (Don), and Stephanie Hemsoth (Bob). He was predeceased by his parents; his former wife, Judith; his son, Stephan D. Lee; sister, Helen Waechter; brother, Robert Lee; niece, Michelle Jackman; and son-in-law, Martin Graber.

The family is deeply grateful for the loving care Dick received while a resident at Park Place Senior Living.

A service to celebrate Dick’s life will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025 at 11:00 am at Covenant United Methodist Church, 10001 Coldwater Road, Fort Wayne 46825, with a calling one hour prior. Family and friends will also be received for a calling on Thursday, August 28, 2025 from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm at the Church.

Memorials may be made to Salvation Army, WBOI Northeast Indiana Public Radio, or Covenant United Methodist Church.

Dick will be deeply missed, but his love and legacy will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew him.