Robert Lee, a past president and active member of the British North America Philatelic Society (BNAPS), died on June 7 at the age of 81.
Born on Feb. 22, 1938, in Saskatoon, Sask., Lee later moved to Vancouver, B.C., with his family, married in 1960 and became one of the youngest stockbrokers on the Vancouver Stock Exchange before moving again, this time to Vernon, B.C., “to pursue his passion in stamps,” according to an obituary published by BNAPS.
“He rapidly became one of the leading British North America philatelic authorities, hosting successful auctions until outgrowing his space and moving operations to Kelowna.”
From his arrival in Vernon in 1978 until his retirement in 2005, he held nearly 115 auctions. With BNAPS, he served as a director from 1998-2000; first vice-president from 2000-02; president from 2002-04; and treasurer from 2005-10.
He was inducted into BNAPS fellowship – the Order of the Beaver – in 1997.
Following his wishes, no funeral service was held, and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.