Farewell Mac

Otter Tail commissioner dies
Sheriff, others remember Malcolm Lee as ‘a great guy’
By Steven P. Wagner swagner@forumcomm.com

Longtime Otter Tail County Commissioner Malcolm Lee died Sunday morning after a car crash north of Fergus Falls, Minn. He was 81.
Lee, of rural Pelican Rapids, Minn., was nearing the end of his 16th year as a commissioner and was not running for reelection this year.
“Malcolm was just a great guy,” said County Coordinator Larry Krohn. “He was so dedicated to the environment.”
Lee became Otter Tail County’s first planning and zoning director in 1971 and hired Krohn to join the department in 1977.
“Malcolm was in my office on Friday afternoon,” said Krohn, who became the county coordinator in 1981. “We talked about how the county was doing.
“He served well. We’re all going to miss him.”
Last February, Lee cast the lone dissenting vote on a large housing development project known as Fish Lake. He said the 209-unit Preserve at Echo Bay went against the spirit of the county’s shore land ordinance, which aims to control overcrowding on lakes.
In March, Lee said he would support a smoking ban for bars and restaurants in the county.
“He had a wealth of knowledge, especially in shoreline areas,” said Commissioner Dennis Mosher, a seven-year veteran of the board.
“He was very fair. Very easy to get along with,” Mosher said. “He had his convictions and he stood by them.”
Lee had suffered health problems recently and underwent kidney dialysis at least twice a week, according to those who knew him.
He also served as a pilot during World War II.
The Otter Tail County Sheriff ’s Department said Lee was driving north on County Road 88 north of Fergus Falls when his 2000 Buick left the road and struck a power pole and telephone junction box.
The Sheriff ’s Department responded to the crash at 11:15 a.m. Sunday. No other details were available.
Sheriff Brian Schlueter said he didn’t know Lee personally, but his dealings with the commissioner were positive.
“He always was a strong supporter of law enforcement,” Schlueter said. “He was just a great guy.”

Fergus Falls Daily Journal story

Mac called my office last week to ask how the first day of school had gone. I found it a bit odd, yet this was always what he asked. He promised he would stop by to visit next time he came by, but from the tone in his voice I could tell he was in his usual hurry. I took this to mean he wanted to visit about his career and his successor. Now it seems clear this was Mac's way of saying good-bye. Our condolences to Margaret and the Lee family. He was a quiet leader with the gift of vision. Nobody cared more about Otter Tail County than Mac Lee.

Malcolm Lee, age 81, a resident of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, died on Sunday, October 29, 2006.
Malcolm Kenneth Lee was born December 1, 1924, in Sherburn, MN, the son of Harry and Elizabeth (Ott) Lee. He attended Sherburn High School and Hunter Ligett Academy in Paso Robles, CA. Malcolm entered the military during WWII and served in the Pacific in the 158th regimental combat unit. He was involved in the liberation of Japan, and received 2 Purple Hearts. After his discharge he attended the University Of Minnesota where he studied Business, and worked at Dayton’s Department Store as assistant controller. On October 23, 1954 Malcolm was united in marriage to Margaret Tweeton in Robbinsdale, MN. Malcolm was a pioneer in the area of computer development. He was recognized by Time Magazine in the 1950’s as one of the top 3 computer experts in his field. In the 1960’s he owned an electronic consulting business, Malcolm K Lee & Associates. In 1971 Malcolm was hired by Otter Tail County as the first Land and Resource Management Administrator. In 1981 Malcolm was commended by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for his accomplishment as administrator of the Land and Resource Office. In 1990 he had a successful run for Otter Tail County Commissioner, serving a total of 16 years, until the time of his death.

Malcolm was instrumental in bringing the Minnesota Veterans Home to Fergus Falls. He was past president of the Pelican Rapids School Board. Malcolm was a member of the V.F.W. Post #5252, American Legion and Masonic Lodge, all of Pelican Rapids

Malcolm is survived by his wife: Margaret of Pelican Rapids; 2 sons: Thomas (Kay) Lee of Elizabeth, MN, and William (Lynda) Lee of Barnesville, MN; daughter: Vanessa (David) Slotten of Chanhassen, MN; 5 grandchildren: Nicholas, Tanner S., Tanner L., Erik, and Larisa; brother: Donald (Marge) Lee of Stuart, FL; numerous nieces and nephews; and his cat: Millie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Eva Kolosky, and brother Robert.

Memorial Gathering: One hour prior to the service at the Church.

Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 1, 2006 at the First Congregational Church, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
Clergy: Pastor Jen Sandstrom

Funeral Home: Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
Condolence address: 18751 440 th St, Pelican Rapids, MN 56572