It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Robert E. Lee, a 40-plus year music industry veteran, passed away on Jan 21, 2019. Robert contracted a severe lung infection and was unable to recover from it. He passed away with his loving wife, Kathleen and family at his side. He will be sorely missed by all that knew him. He was a giving person, witty, intelligent and a great leader, mentor and friend.
Robert got his start in music by attending North Texas State University where he earned a degree in Music Performance, specializing in percussion. After graduating from NTSU, Robert and his band, Mourning Dayze, toured extensively around the USA before Robert settled down into the San Francisco Bay area. He managed Swain’s House of Music in Palo Alto, Calif. for 18 years, before joining the sales team at Kaman Music in 1995, where he rose to the position of Senior VP sales. After leaving Kaman Music in 2012, Robert became the VP Sales at Samick Corporation in Gallatin, Tenn. Two years later, Robert joined Rhythm Band in Fort Worth, Texas before finally joining St Louis Music as Senior VP Sales, in 2015.
Robert was an avid student and fan of jazz music, enjoyed fine wine, had an extensive collection of multi-colored socks, and was always a dapper dresser. Robert was a great mentor and leader of the sales teams at each company he worked for. Robert’s positive outlook on life was contagious to all he worked with and for. Under Robert’s leadership, St. Louis Music had a record year in 2018.
Robert is survived by his wife Kathleen and their three cat children, Ella, Cleo and Miles; his brother Richard Lee and wife Laurie; and his sister Kay Amhaus and husband Dean. He was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Jeanette, née Kitzman, Lee.
Condolences may be posted at www.wfh-ofallon.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Robert are suggested to NAMM Foundation, at www.nammfoundation.org.
There will be visitation hours at
Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 West Washington Street, O’Fallon, Illinois 62269 onFriday Feb 8 from 4PM to 8PM.
There will be a memorial service on
Feb 9 at 10AM atSheraton 4 Points Conference Center, 319 Fountains Parkway, Fairview Heights, Il, 62208, a reception will follow.
