Honourable colleagues, I rise today to pay tribute to Vancouver businessman and philanthropist Dr. Robert H. Lee, who passed away on February 19. I have only one minute for this tribute, but even one hour would not do justice to the accomplishments of this giant of a man.

Bob Lee’s father, an immigrant from China, was an entrepreneur and Chinatown pioneer who handed down to his children the importance of big thinking, integrity, hard work and community service. Today, the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation stands in part as a legacy to the contributions of Robert Lee’s family.

A graduate of UBC’s commerce program, Bob Lee would continue to support the university throughout his life.

For 23 years, Dr. Lee volunteered on the board of governors. He was chancellor of the university from 1993 to 1996 and was instrumental in designing a model for development of the UBC Endowment Lands in a way that was suitable for the needs of the university, respectful of First Nations, environmentally sensitive and financially prudent.

For his contributions, Robert Lee was honoured with the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia and was named a business laureate of British Columbia. He was affectionately known as “Mr. UBC,” but his philanthropy went so much further in supporting causes across the Lower Mainland. I join with the university community in mourning Bob Lee’s passing and send my deepest condolences to his wife, Lily, and their children, Carol, Derek, Leslie and Graham.