Ken Lee

Kenneth Allan Lee, lover of classical music, dry martinis, and all the world’s cats, died on Monday, January 29 with his two children, Kevin and Brenda, by his side.

Born February 11, 1935 in San Francisco, Ken lived in the Bay Area his entire life.

His parents, Percy and Elizabeth, put a violin in his hands at a young age and sparked an enduring love of music in Ken. He began attending the San Francisco Symphony as a teen and soon became a permanent fixture at the symphony, opera, and ballet, holding season tickets to all three and rarely missing a performance.

As a San Francisco man-about-town, Ken frequented classic haunts like Bimbo’s 365 Club and Tadish Grill, where he knew most all the bartenders by name. His partner in adventure was his equally fun-loving wife Marilyn, who he met on a blind date. Together, they enjoyed dinner parties with friends, summer concerts at Sigmond Stern Grove, and hikes to Mission Peak. Their greatest adventure of all was starting a family and raising their two kids.

Ken had a deep love of nature, which he instilled in his children from a very young age, whether they were hiking in Yosemite or beachcombing in Santa Barbara. He also had a special connection with animals, especially cats. After retiring from his career in insurance and moving to Oakland, Ken worked in pet adoption at the East Bay SPCA and took care of the feral cats at Lake Merritt, where he was known to give a few handouts to the racoons as well.

Ken had a special talent for remembering every birthday and holiday, marking each occasion with a one-of-a-kind gift or a thoughtfully written card (usually with a cat on it). In turn, he will always be remembered for his love of family, his zest for life, and the tenderness he had for all creatures, great and small.

Preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, Ken is survived by his children, Kevin (Kim) Lee and Brenda (Bob) Ottinger, and his grandchildren, Miles, Sophia, Amelia, and Nolan.