He spent his life
serving the public

KIM TET LEE / 1913-2001

See also: OBITUARIES

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By B.J. Reyes
breyes@starbulletin.com

KIM TET LEE, a former executive secretary of the state Employees' Retirement System whose volunteer work earned him recognition from the governor, has died. He was 88.

Lee died July 30 at St. Francis Hospital.

"He was a man who didn't say much, he just did," said his son Ted of Honolulu. "Those he was familiar with through his work were impressed with his integrity."

After a variety of accounting jobs in the public and private sector, Lee became executive secretary of the ERS in 1966. He retired in 1977 and later served on the system's board of trustees from 1980 to 1986.

Following his duty on the board, Lee dedicated himself to a variety of volunteer jobs for state agencies including the Judiciary, the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Enrollment, Claims and Benefits Department of the ERS, his family said.

Lee received several resolutions from the city and county of Honolulu and the ERS board of trustees for his dedication.

Last year, Gov. Ben Cayetano proclaimed July 25 as "Kim Tet Lee Day" and honored Lee with a luncheon in recognition of his "lifelong commitment to public service."

Lee was born in Honolulu on June 14, 1913, and attended McKinley High School. After high school he attended the University of Hawaii and then Yenching (Beijing) University in China, graduating in 1935.

In addition to Ted and his wife, Ann, Lee is survived by another son, Michael, and his wife, Cynthia; a daughter, Joslyne; and six grandchildren.

Private inurnment services were held.