CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Robert E. A. Lee, the Lutheran film executive
behind Academy Award-nominated productions that brought out tensions
between Catholics and Protestants in the 1950s and captured America's
racial divide in the 1960s, died of cancer Feb. 27 at his Baldwin home on
Long Island, N.Y. He was 87.
The funeral is 10:30 a.m. March 4 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church,
Baldwin. A hymn festival is planned for 7:30 p.m. March 6 at the church,
followed by a memorial service.
Lee is perhaps best known for his involvement with the mid-1960s
civil rights film, "A Time for Burning." The Oscar-nominated documentary
tells the story of a Lutheran pastor who urges his all-white Nebraska
congregation to reach out to African Americans.
Fred Friendly, former president of CBS News, once said the
documentary was the "best civil rights film ever made." The Rev. Eric C.
Shafer, a Lutheran pastor from Lansdale, Pa., called Lee "universally
respected," a pioneer in religious film production, and an early advocate
of film and television in the church.
From 1954 to 1988, Lee directed a pan-Lutheran organization now known
as Lutheran Film Associates, and remained active afterward. The
organization initiated "A Time for Burning" and "Martin Luther," another
Oscar-nominated film. Other acclaimed efforts include "The Joy of Bach"
and "Question 7."
When "Martin Luther" was released in the 1950s, Catholic-dominant
countries such as Peru, Brazil and the Philippines tried to ban the film
about the 16th century catalyst of the Protestant Reformation. After
Chicago's WGN-TV cancelled its showing, 30 prominent Protestant leaders
denounced the station.
Lee told the New York Times the station caved to pressure from
"sources" hoping to suppress unflattering parts of their history. "Efforts
at thought control, wherever they are exerted, are un-American and are to
be deplored," he said.
Lee was born in 1921 in Spring Grove, Minn. After graduating from
Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, he pursued graduate studies at the
University of Minnesota and New York University. He later received an
honorary doctorate from Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa. Luther
and Susquehanna are among the 28 colleges and universities of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Lee was a U.S. Navy aviator in World War II and awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism. During the war he married Elaine
E. Naeseth, a musician from Morrisonville, Wis., who sang with him in a
quartet at Luther College.
From 1945 to 1947, Lee served as a Twin Cities radio announcer and
program director before beginning a long career in public relations,
radio, television and film production for various Lutheran organizations.
Although a member of the ELCA, he was respected across Lutheran church
bodies.
"In the area of Lutheran communication, he was a real giant," said
the Rev. Paul Devantier, former communication director, Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod.
Lee began working for his own organization, REAL World
Communications, in 1988. He wrote essays, poetry and eight books,
including the memoir, "My Wings at Sunset."
He enjoyed visits from family and friends until a few days before his
death, according to a statement from his children. "He played piano almost
daily, to the delight of his caregivers," they said. "His prayers before
meals always included a personal and specific expression of gratitude for
the gifts of a life well lived."
Survivors include six children: Peg Harris, Barbara Greenfeldt,
Sigrid Lee, Richard Lee, Sylvia Lee-Thompson and Paul Lee; two sisters,
eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. His wife Elaine, to
whom Lee was married for 56 years, died in 2000.
Robert E. A. Lee's writings are at http://www.realworldcomm.com on
the Internet.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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