Former Columbia Union President Harold Lee Passes Away

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Harold L. Lee, president of the Columbia Union Conference from 1998-2006, passed away this morning.  

"We have lost a thoughtful, contemplative leader who gave to our union, during administrative tenure, a positive trajectory in establishing outstanding governance. His legacy continues to make a contribution in providing guidance and governance support for many of our healthcare institutions," says Dave Weigley, Columbia Union president.

Born in Wellsburg, W.Va., his ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist church spanned some 40 years and included time pastoring several congregations, including his first congregation in the Allegheny West Conference in Ohio.  

He also served at the Caribbean Union Conference, North American Division and Allegheny East Conference in the Stewardship Department;  in the Department of Church Ministries at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; and as vice president of development and public relations at (then) Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama. He also he served as the executive secretary of the Columbia Union from 1992-1998. 

A lifelong learner, he earned a doctorate of ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in  Chicago; a bachelor’s from Oakwood College, a master’s from Andrews University (Mich.), and a certificate in educational and financial management from Harvard in Cambridge, Mass. He also served as an adjunct professor at Andrews University, Oakwood and (then) Columbia Union College in Takoma Park, Md.  

After retiring from the union in 2006, Lee later served as the director of the Bradford-Cleveland-Brooks Leadership Center on the campus of Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama. 

Please pray for his wife, Barbara, and their family during this time. 

We will continue to update this story with memorial announcements and more information.

From the Archives

• Harold Lee and Benjamin Baker Release 'C.D. The Man Behind the Message'
• Harold Lee Elected Columbia Union President (p. 8)
• Longtime Columbia Union Members Recognized