wfn.org | Robert E. A. Lee, Lutheran Film and Television Executive, Dies

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> ELCA NEWS SERVICE
> March 3, 2009

Robert E. A. Lee, Lutheran Film and Television Executive, Dies
09-055-SH Click for more Photo
[Click for larger image] Robert E. A. Lee, 1921-2009

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Robert E. A. Lee, the Lutheran film executive 
behind Academy Award-nominated productions that brought out tensions 
between Catholics and Protestants in the 1950s and captured America's 
racial divide in the 1960s, died of cancer Feb. 27 at his Baldwin 
home on Long Island, N.Y. He was 87.

The funeral is 10:30 a.m. March 4 at St. Peter's Lutheran 
Church, Baldwin. A hymn festival is planned for 7:30 p.m. March 6 at 
the church, followed by a memorial service.

Lee is perhaps best known for his involvement with the 
mid-1960s civil rights film, "A Time for Burning." The 
Oscar-nominated documentary tells the story of a Lutheran pastor who 
urges his all-white Nebraska congregation to reach out to African Americans.

Fred Friendly, former president of CBS News, once said the 
documentary was the "best civil rights film ever made." The Rev. Eric 
C. Shafer, a Lutheran pastor from Lansdale, Pa., called Lee 
"universally respected," a pioneer in religious film production, and 
an early advocate of film and television in the church.

From 1954 to 1988, Lee directed a pan-Lutheran organization now 
known as Lutheran Film Associates, and remained active afterward. The 
organization initiated "A Time for Burning" and "Martin Luther," 
another Oscar-nominated film. Other acclaimed efforts include "The 
Joy of Bach" and "Question 7."

When "Martin Luther" was released in the 1950s, 
Catholic-dominant countries such as Peru, Brazil and the Philippines 
tried to ban the film about the 16th century catalyst of the 
Protestant Reformation. After Chicago's WGN-TV cancelled its showing, 
30 prominent Protestant leaders denounced the station.

Lee told the New York Times the station caved to pressure from 
"sources" hoping to suppress unflattering parts of their history. 
"Efforts at thought control, wherever they are exerted, are 
un-American and are to be deplored," he said.

Lee was born in 1921 in Spring Grove, Minn. After graduating 
from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, he pursued graduate studies at 
the University of Minnesota and New York University. He later 
received an honorary doctorate from Susquehanna University, 
Selinsgrove, Pa. Luther and Susquehanna are among the 28 colleges and 
universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Lee was a U.S. Navy aviator in World War II and awarded the 
Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism. During the war he married 
Elaine E. Naeseth, a musician from Morrisonville, Wis., who sang with 
him in a quartet at Luther College.

From 1945 to 1947, Lee served as a Twin Cities radio announcer 
and program director before beginning a long career in public 
relations, radio, television and film production for various Lutheran 
organizations. Although a member of the ELCA, he was respected across 
Lutheran church bodies.

"In the area of Lutheran communication, he was a real giant," 
said the Rev. Paul Devantier, former communication director, Lutheran 
Church-Missouri Synod.

Lee began working for his own organization, REAL World 
Communications, in 1988. He wrote essays, poetry and eight books, 
including the memoir, "My Wings at Sunset."

He enjoyed visits from family and friends until a few days 
before his death, according to a statement from his children. "He 
played piano almost daily, to the delight of his caregivers," they 
said. "His prayers before meals always included a personal and 
specific expression of gratitude for the gifts of a life well lived."

Survivors include six children: Peg Harris, Barbara Greenfeldt, 
Sigrid Lee, Richard Lee, Sylvia Lee-Thompson and Paul Lee; two 
sisters, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.  His wife 
Elaine, to whom Lee was married for 56 years, died in 2000.

> ----

Robert E. A. Lee's writings are at http://www.realworldcomm.com 
on the Internet.

For information contact:

John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog