wfn.org | Pacific Northwest layman receives Clay F. Lee Award

[NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG]

Nov. 20, 2000 News media contact: Tim Tanton·(615)742-5470·Nashville, Tenn.
10-71B{521}

NOTE:  This report is a sidebar to UMNS story #519.

EVANSTON, Ill. (UMNS) - A man who was instrumental in designing the United
Methodist Church's health insurance plan was honored Nov. 17 with the annual
Clay F. Lee Award, presented by the denomination's benefits board.

Robert W. Stevens of Seattle, who served on the board from 1984 to 1992,
received the award from Bishop William Morris, chairman of the United
Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits, during a dinner at the Omni
Orrington Hotel.

Stevens was vice president of the board from 1988 to 1992 and led its UMCare
Task Force in designing a health insurance program that became HealthFlex.
He was the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference treasurer for 34 years and
served for seven years as pension officer before retiring in July. He also
worked on the General Council of Finance and Administration for eight years
and was named to the GCFA's investment committee for another eight. 

Stevens was nominated by former board member Harry Piper, who praised the
honoree's commitment and contributions to the church. After accepting the
award, Stevens acknowledged that the general church has been his life.

"I figured a week (each) month, I was traveling for the general church," he
said, referring to the 1989 to 1992 period, when he worked on the task
force. 

The Clay F. Lee Award is presented to former board members for contributions
to the agency. It was named in honor of the bishop who led the board through
a time of major change. Lee served on the board from 1980 to 1988 and was
president from 1992 to 1996. He received the first award last year.
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United Methodist News Service
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