Bob Lee ’68, ’71, an alumnus and former NFL quarterback who helped expand University of the Pacific’s athletics and fitness facilities as athletics director, died Aug. 17 in San Francisco. He was 81.

Lee served as Director of Athletics from 1991 to 1996. During his five years at Pacific, he was instrumental in the construction of the Baun Fitness Center. He led efforts to enhance Bill Simoni Softball Field, upgrade the athletic offices and started efforts to fund and build what is now the Douglass M. Eberhardt Aquatics Center. 

“What separated Bob from the average athletic director was his heart and his vision,” said Cindy Spiro ’76, ’84, former senior associate athletics director at Pacific. “He was most proud that the Baun Fitness Center would be for all students, not just for athletes, and at that time it was regarded as one of the top fitness facilities at California universities.”

In a 1991 Pacific Review interview, Lee said: “If you were to size up my philosophy, I would say, ‘Don’t tell me why we can’t do something, but tell me how we might go about accomplishing that something together.’”

Former colleagues say he encouraged and supported coaches and made sure each person he worked with was recognized for their contributions and impact on Pacific’s success. 

“Bob Lee was a mentor, a friend and someone who had a lasting impact on my life and career,” said Ray Purpur ’94, current deputy director of athletics at Stanford University. “I had the privilege of working for Bob as an assistant athletics director at Pacific in the early 1990s, and our professional relationship quickly became a lifelong friendship.

“I will always be grateful for his confidence in me, his guidance. Bob was a wonderful person who made a lasting difference in the lives of so many people, including mine.”

Lee was also a standout athlete as a student at Pacific. He played quarterback for the Tigers in 1966-67 and led the Tigers in passing, total offense and scoring during the 1966 and 1967 seasons as both a passer and kicker. He was named Pacific’s most valuable player as a senior and holds the Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium record with a 51-yard field goal.

In 1968, he was drafted in the 17th round of the NFL Draft, going on to enjoy a 14-year NFL career. He played for the Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams. He was named the season’s outstanding rookie while playing for the Vikings in 1969. His career included three Super Bowls—two with the Vikings and one with the Los Angeles Rams—and 12 playoff games.  He was named the Atlanta Falcons’ most valuable player in 1973.

Lee was dubbed “The General” as a member of the Falcons’ organization and was named the 1973 Georgia Athlete of the Year by the Georgia Association of Sportswriters.

He was one of the 22 charter members inducted into the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame in 1982 for his accolades in football. 

“Bob was not just a fine athlete, he was a loyal friend, a proud Tiger and a great family man. We will miss him,” said Ted Leland ’70, ’72, former vice president for external relations and athletics at Pacific and athletic director emeritus at Stanford.

Lee’s interests beyond Pacific included serving on the board of directors of the Northern California chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame, speaker and participant for fundraising and awards banquets for the Boy Scouts of America and chairman of the San Francisco Special Olympics in 1981. 

He was born in Columbus, Ohio, and raised in San Francisco. Lee came to Pacific from City College of San Francisco, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education from Pacific in 1968 and his master’s in education in 1971.

Lee is survived by his wife Janice, his children Matt, Jenna (Leif Babin) and Zac (Jeannie Marie Lechich) and six grandchildren.

Gifts in his memory can be made to Pacific Athletics or by contacting Vice President for University Development and Alumni Relations Scott Biedermann '05, '20 at 209.946.2166 or sbiedermann@pacific.edu.