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1934 Kwang-Sae 2012

Kwang-Sae Lee

May 30, 1934 — September 5, 2012

Kwang-Sae Lee passed away unexpectedly September 5, 2012 at Akron City Hospital.

He was born May 30, 1934 to In Heung Lee and Hee Bong Ahn in Seoul Korea.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Eileen Hogan; brother, Kwang Sun Lee (Yu Soon) of Kent; sisters, Kwang Ok Yoon (Kwan Sook) of Seoul; Kwang Ae Kim (Chong Soo) of California; Kwang Ja Rhee (Pil Woo) of Seoul and Kwang Eun Lee of Seoul; sister-in-law, Maureen Halsey Wright (Rudy) of Frankfort, KY; and several much loved nieces and nephews in the US and Korea.

He was enrolled at Seoul National University, School of Political Science when the Korean War broke out and he had to evacuate Seoul along with his younger brother to avoid capture by the North Korean army. After the war KSL was awarded a scholarship by the US government to complete his undergraduate studies at the College of Idaho. He received his degree in political science in 1956 and his PhD in philosophy from Yale in 1966.

KSL began teaching at Kent State in 1963 and retired this past May, making him the longest serving faculty member after 49 years. Even though he was retired, he was teaching an introduction to philosophy class this semester. He enjoyed teaching; mentoring students; speaking at international conferences; writing and publishing numerous articles and books in both English and Korean. He was recognized as an international scholar in comparative religion and philosophy.

He held a position as Program Chair of Chinese Philosophy in the American Philosophy Association. He was a keynote speaker at the World Philosophy Conference. In 2007 he received a Distinguished Alumni award from the College of Idaho.

During his years of service to the university he was a professor, faculty advisor for the Korean Student Association and served for many years on the College of Arts & Sciences Advisory Committee. He also served as an advisor and reader for many students receiving their Master's and PhD's in various areas of study including philosophy, education, English, political science and music.

KSL loved reading, listening to classical music and spending time with his family including his cats and dogs. He was an advocate for helping homeless animals.

Calling hours will be held 4 to 6 pm Friday, September 21st at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home, 628 West Main Street, Kent, OH 44240 330-673-5857. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to The Kwang Sae Lee Scholarship Fund at the College of Idaho, 2112 Cleveland Blvd, Caldwell, ID 83605 or The Portage Animal Protective League, 8122 Infirmary Rd, Ravenna, OH 44266.
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