Dr. Kyuhwan Francis Lee, M.D., Ph.D., 89, of Houston Texas passed away on May 12, 2018 at Memorial Hermann Hospital, S.W. from a stroke. He was born March 1, 1929, the son of Chung Ki Lee and Sook Ja Shin. Dr. Lee is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Dr. Yongok Eugenia Lee, four daughters, son, and seven grandchildren.
Dr. Lee was a loving husband, devoted father, brilliant medical researcher, and tireless leader in the Korean Community. Dr. Lee earned his medical degree from Severance Medical School in 1951 and his Ph.D. from Yonsei University in1963 in Seoul, Korea. A medical pioneer, he opened the first Korean cancer center at Yonsei University. He then permanently immigrated to the U.S. in 1963. Over his 40-year medical career, Dr. Lee was Professor Emeritus at Thomas Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia and the Head of Neuroradiology at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. He published numerous medical articles, including in JAMA and The New England Journal of Medicine, the most respected medical journals in the world. He was contributing author to at least fifteen medical books. The Head of the National Institute of Health (NIH) was so impressed with Dr. Lee’s book on Empty Sella Syndrome that he volunteered to write the Forward for it. Among many medical awards, Dr. Lee was a finalist for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1979.
In 1990, President George H.W. Bush awarded Dr. Lee with a medal for his work with the Korean Community in America. Among many contributions, Dr. Lee formed, and was the first president of the Korean American Association of Greater Philadelphia (KAAGP). He raised the necessary money to buy the 1st Korean Catholic Church in Philadelphia. He later relocated to Houston where he was instrumental in raising funds for the gymnasium at St. Andrew Kim’s Korean Catholic Church. In 2002, Dr. Lee turned his efforts to serving the needs of Korean senior citizens after seeing that many of them could not speak English and had nowhere to go. He met with Houston government officials, obtained all the necessary building and zoning permits, spearheaded a fundraising campaign that raised over $2 million (donating $175,000 to the program himself) and then managed the construction of the Korean Senior Center. He served as a non-paid president for 10 years, working five days a week to ensure that the center was successful. The Korean Senior Center is now open for seniors every weekday, providing lunch, classes and a place for seniors to connect and socialize. Classes include art, English, music, exercise, Bible, political discussions and line dancing.
In 2008, Roh Moo-Hyun, The President of South Korea, awarded Dr. Lee with its highest merit award - The National Meritorious Award for Service (Kook Ga Yoo Kong Jae), for his military service and lifetime work for the Korean community in America. For this reason, the Korean Consulate General, the highest Korean government official in Houston, attended Dr. Lee's funeral to pay its respect from the South Korean government.
Dr. Kyuhwan Francis Lee, a loving husband and father, brilliant researcher, and caring leader of the Korean community will be missed. However, his impact on the world will be enjoyed for generations.
