“One in a million.”
“An absolute legend.”
“Truly loved by veterinary students.”
These were a few of the many comments made by colleagues and students across the college as they celebrated Dr. Robert Lee for decades of service to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at CSU and his receipt of the 2021 Colorado Veterinary Medical Association Distinguished Service Award.
As the animal anatomy teaching laboratory coordinator, Lee provides teaching materials for functional anatomy, surgical anatomy, reproductive biology, veterinary neuroscience and undergraduate comparative anatomy and plays an instrumental role in training veterinary students.
To celebrate Lee’s retirement this month after 40 years with the Department of Biomedical Sciences, colleagues and students donned white paper mustaches, coveralls and ballcaps to imitate his signature look and gathered to share fond memories and congratulations.
Well known for his encyclopedic knowledge of animal anatomy, dry sense of humor, and colorful stories dating back to his time spent serving in the Vietnam War, Lee made a lasting impression over the years by consistently providing wisdom and guidance sprinkled with humorous anecdotes along the way.
Students, faculty and staff will greatly miss Dr. Lee, not only for his jokes and stories, but for his dedication to veterinary education. Lee always knew the name of every veterinary student every year and made the effort to get to know them. He helped them prepare, not only for exams, but for long-term career success by inspiring them to become leading veterinarians of their generation.
