Hay Kuhn “H.K.” Lee, Jr. passed away peacefully at home in Virginia Beach with his wife Debbie by his side January 12, 2018 following a long period of declining health. He was 71.
H.K. was a torchbearer for community-based services on behalf of people with developmental disabilities, and a champion of diversity and inclusion. If life were a party, H.K. would have made sure you’re invited. He was Executive Director of the Eastern Shore Vocational Center/Mental Retardation Services System; Grants Manager at the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse; and Director of Mental Retardation/Development Disabilities Services at the Western Tidewater Community Services Board.
Blessed with a creative, outgoing personality and love of life, he brought a sense of fun and lightheartedness to everything he did. An avid shag dancer, he was a founding member of the Northern Virginia Shag Club, a member of the Richmond Shag Club, the D.C. Hand Dancers, and a number of shag clubs along the east coast. H.K. was a popular shutterbug among co-workers and colleagues pre-Facebook, remembered for the prolific pictures he took to connect people. An alumnus of Randolph-Macon College, and fraternity president, he furthered his studies in Public Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University and Old Dominion University. Outside of his family whom he adored, the friends he made at his schools, work and clubs were always dear to him – he was still returning to Springbrook High School’s reunions in Maryland after more than 50 years.
Surviving relatives include his wife Debbie Lee of 15 years; children Gregory Lee and partner Krystle Archuleta, Michael Lee, Dena and Mike Pierson, Eric and Megan Hewitt; sister May-Lily Lee; grandchildren Stella, Jacob, Dylan, Zoey, Carley, Amber, Sydney, and Myles; and his lifelong friends Joe Horowitz, George Sprague and Jim Cannon.
A celebration of life will be held at Crowne Plaza Hotel at 4453 Bonney Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia at 4:00 Thursday, January 25, 2018. Memorial donations may be made to the Eastern Shore Vocational Center 3462 Main Street, Exmore, Virginia 23350.
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Dear Debbie, Michael and families,
I am so sorry for your loss. I have been through this myself recently, and understand what you are going through. H.K. is finally at peace and no longer suffering. He has fulfilled God’s plan for him and is with his heavenly Father. You are so blessed to have had him in your lives.
I have known H.K. since our early days at Springbrook High School. He was always such a kind, caring and witty person who I was glad to call a friend. I was always so glad to see him at recent Springbrook events knowing he was going through the challenges of dealing with cancer. He never complained. His strength was admirable.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Bonnie SP ’64
I am so sorry to hear about HK
We were neighbors in Crestview Park and attended Springbrook together.
My sincere condolences to you and your Family!
I am very sorry to hear that H.K. has passed. While he and I were never close friends, we always got along well, which at Springbrook in 1968, is definitely a good memory for me. My memory of H.K is of someone who always had a smile on his face, and who had a very loving soul. What more can one wish for? He brightened everyone’s day.
May you find peace,
Chuck Mezger
So sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine what you must be feeling right now, but I want you to know that I am just a phone call away. My heartfelt condolences.
So sorry to hear of HK’s passing. We have wonderful memories of him and the spirit he brought to the dance community. We miss him greatly and will not forget him. Sincere sympathies to Debbie and the family.
H.K. and I were classmates in the 6th grade, and we also joined the same Boy Scout troop. I remember H.K. as a decent, upbeat guy. I’m saddened to hear of his passing.
Dear May-Lily, Debbie, Michael, and families: I am so sorry for your loss. I believe anyone who ever interacted with H.K. left the moment feeling better about everyone and everything. His positive outlook was so contagious and the world was a better place for having H.K. in it. May you find comfort in memories and his spirit undaunted.
Debbie and family,
Many share in your loss. It is too sad that HK was not able to have a long and healthy retirement. He did make the most of each day, always making the day for others. He took me under his wing when I first started learning to shag dance and taught me so much. I heard about Debbie over and over and I’m so happy you were there to bring him joy in the later years of his life. I knew you held a special place in his heart long before you married. Treasure the memories as I will. He will be missed. Gone too soon. Love and hugs dear Debbie and family.
It is so telling that with everywhere he worked he still remembered the Vocational Center and chose it to be the recipient of his generosity. H.K encouraged and mentored me, and gave me the opportunity to succeed. He was hard not to like and easy to remember. I’m just sorry I didn’t know how ill he was so I could tell him what a big impact he had in helping me to have such a good life. My condolences to everyone.
Dear Debbie and Family, I was a classmate of H.K.’s.
I remember H.K. as being a very solid, good person with a great smile. He contributed so much to the life we all enjoyed at Springbrook. Although its been 50 yrs since I left the Silver Spring, Maryland area, I retained fond and warm memories of H.K. While we were not close, I was in some proximity to him; he was a star before we knew what a star was or what it came to mean in these times. He was the epitome of humanity. I was sad to hear that he suffered and for quite a time. Yet, happy to learn of you and his family and that this could make life bearable during those suffering times. May G-d bless you and your families and bring comfort as you continue the journey of life. Know that people care and cared about your dear H.K. Know that our memories are deep and loving ones. And, in time, may your warm memories of H.K. and your life together once again bring a smile to your face and heart.
With deepest sympathy,
Susan Marylyn Schwartz Lew, Au.D.
Chesterfield, MO63005
HK and I were pledge brothers together at Randolph-Macon and he, of course, became our fraternity president. He was a wonderful and caring man who was loved and respected by all his brothers. I will miss him and am only sorry that I did not keep up with him through the years. My sympathies to all his family.
We are so fortunate to have had H.K.in our lives. His wonderfully upbeat demeanor was truly infectious! He was a joy to all the members of the NVA Shag Club, especially the ladies. You could not dance with him without palpably feeling his joy, especially as he demonstrated his signature “bow and sweep move” — delightful!
To Debbie and H.K.’s family we express our deep sadness at his passing. But aren’t we lucky to have known his smile and felt his kindness and love?
H.K. will never be “gone” to me. He is my once in a lifetime and forever friend. And his goodness and loving nature will be alive in me always.
I’ve known “Junior Lee” since 5th grade at Hillandale Elementary. In fact, the last time he called me – probably a year ago – he said “This is Junior Lee, can Sue come out and play?” He was an amazing friend with such a contagious smile, one could not help but love him. Then, it was H.K. and finally just H.No matter – it was always the same sweet, happy, helpful FRIEND – one that came to my Mother’s memorial service, after I’d attended his Dad’s. Friends that go back that far always hold on to such a unique prospective – that words can not explain.
Wish I could be there for him this time – but I’ve a broken foot (the night before my Dad’s funeral)and am still off tilt. Will write later to you Debby with lots of stories and may even send you some of our correspondence over the years. Hugs and lots of love, Susan Dunn
thru the years.
I was sad to learn this morning of H.K.’s death. I worked with H.K. in the early to mid ’90’s when he was at DMHMRSAS and I was at the Virginia Institute for Developmental Disabilities (now the Partnership for People with Disabilities). We worked together on the Waves of the Future Conference, and it was then that I got to know H.K. as a smart, warm, funny, and out-going person. I still recall the story he told of the time he beat an unjust speeding ticket he received in a rural area. He relished telling it in great detail, including the way in which the prosecuting attorney and police officer backed down in the face of H.K.’s investigation into the local traffic laws. I will always think of H.K. with a smile and with appreciation for his strong advocacy on behalf of people who were disempowered.
Debbie, you have my deepest sympathy. I know how much you loved and care for “H”. My prayers have gone up for you and the family. God’s comfort and blessing. Will see you soon.
Love, Sandra
In 1971 I was hired as an eighth grade math teacher on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. I had no place to live, and by the way had never taken an education course, but the shore needed teachers, preferably young males. I was replacing an HK Lee, who was moving to another school and another role. So I contacted HK, and he offered me a bed until I could find full time accommodations. I was moving to the shore with several fraternity brothers from Va Tech, so when we did find a home to rent, we adopted HK into our group.
Now so many years later, the experience of knowing him at that formative time in my life is fresh in my memory. He was just a delight to be around. Some may have found a Chinese heritage to be difficult, especially in the relatively closed society of the Eastern Shore, but it was nothing to HK. He always had a smile and he never had a complaint. He was just a life-giving person who was your best friend instantly.
We’ll all miss him, but we are all the better for having known him. Rest in peace, my good friend.
As a member of H K’s Sunday School class at First Baptist Church in Richmond decades ago,I send sympathy to the family. I remember the time and effort he gave to the individual members of the class.We all appreciated his analysis of the Bible.
I also remember his love of the water and his woodcarving of ducks, his shag dancing and his cooking in the wok. H K will be missed by so many.
Sorry For Your Loss!
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of H.K. I was proud to know him as a friend and colleague. I always enjoyed socializing or dealing with issues of importance in the developmental disabilities field with him. I especially enjoyed his sharing of his favorite restaurants and food. Once he and Debby invited us to dinner at the Peking Duck and introduced us to “Hong Kong” won ton and dim sum. He enjoyed demonstrating his knowledge and expertise on Chinese Food. We also enjoyed the socializing and interaction around the AAMR and TCC activities. He will be greatly missed.
I remember when Mr. Lee was my employer at the Vocational Center in the 80’s. He taught us to strive to leave the world better than it was before we got there. I think he certainly did that wherever he went. I am so sorry to here of his passing.
H.K. was a GREAT guy and dear friend for many years!!! Dedicated to the needs of others and his family!!! All the best to Debbie and family!!!ps….HK took the pics of my wedding with Jane in “96!!…dmz
When I was first introduced to H.K. at Larkins back in the day, he replied to me, please call me “Hong Kong”. He had a great sense of humor and will be sorely missed.