ELCA NEWS SERVICE
March 3, 2009
Robert E. A. Lee, Lutheran Film and Television Executive, Dies
09-055-SH
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.
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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 [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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