Kim Tet Lee, lifelong public servant, dead at 88
By Kapono Dowson
Advertiser Staff Writer
Kim Tet Lee, who died July 30 in St. Francis Hospital at age 88, considered public service his life's calling.
Advertiser library photo
Born in Honolulu June 14, 1913, Lee attended McKinley High School, the University of Hawai'i and graduated from Yenching (Beijing) University in China in 1935.
Kim Tet Lee's son says he loved public service.
In 1962 Lee started with the Hawai'i Employees Retirement System. By 1966, he worked his way up to become the head of the organization, retiring in 1977. He served as a trustee for the retirement system from 1980 to 1986.
Lee volunteered countless hours with the state judiciary, and the state Land and Natural Resources department. More recently, Lee spent most of his time as a volunteer with the Employees' Retirement System.
It may have been his Chinese heritage, which values civil service highly, said Lee's son Theodore. "Public service brought my dad great satisfaction."
The state honored Lee last year when Gov. Cayetano proclaimed July 25, 2000, Kim Tet Lee Day in recognition of Lee's "lifelong commitment to public service" as an administrator and volunteer staff member.
Lee was married to the former Emma Tenn, now deceased. He is survived by sons Michael K. Theodore K.; daughter Joslyne K.; six grandchildren; sister Alyce Lo; and brother George K. H. Lee.
Inurnment services were privately held Friday at Diamond Head Memorial Park columbarium.
