110 W. New York Ave.
DeLand, FL 32720
386-734-4622
By Jen Horton
posted Aug 25, 2009 - 9:48:33am
As a leaf travels on the soft end-of-summer breeze, so traveled the news that Stetson University Chancellor H. Douglas Lee, 66, died early this morning, Tuesday, Aug 25, at Florida Hospital-DeLand.
Disbelief and grief accompanied the report. Lee had just retired this summer after a highly acclaimed presidency that spanned two decades of change and progress at Stetson University. He and his wife, Margaret, had been looking forward to spending more time with their children and grandchildren.
According to Stetson sources, Lee was admitted to the hospital Aug. 17 for complications related to diverticulitis, and surgery was performed Aug. 18. Lee developed sepsis and underwent a second surgery in the middle of the week. It was reported that Lee fell into a coma around 5 p.m. Aug. 24.
The Stetson community came together Aug. 24, to pray for Lee, who recently retired as president of the university.
A member of First Baptist Church of DeLand confirmed a Lee family member had called with news of Lee's death, and to confirm the sanctuary would be available for a service.
No official statement has been issued by Stetson University or Florida Hospital-DeLand. However, Stetson University announced it will open the H. Douglas Lee Chapel all day today for those who would like to pray or use the silence to remember Doug and his family. At noon today, there will be a community prayer offered by Chaplain Fronk in Lee Chapel.
Allen-Summerhill is in charge.
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His friends, co-workers, and the beneficiaries of his leadership at Stetson University have already experienced the "changing of the guard" with his retirement and the appointment of the new President, Dr. Wendy Libby, but his death is a deep and painful wound for those of us who looked forward to a new relationship to our friend and mentor. How we will miss him!!
beloved Doug Lee. My prayers and sympathy go
out to his family. He will certainly be missed by all who knew him.
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