Kenneth Lee

On February 18, 2021, Ken Lee died in Madison, WI, from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). He was in the comfort of his own home and surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Milly Whiteagle-Lee, his sons Sam and Noah, and grandson Malachi, as well as his sister Nancy (Gordon) and brother Ted (Deb).

Ken was born on May 13, 1953, in New York City. He lived there with his parents and two older siblings, Nancy and Ted, until they relocated to the suburbs after his father left his private practice in Manhattan to become the head of Hematology at a hospital in Brooklyn. Ken spent his childhood summers visiting his grandmother at Lido Beach on Long Island. After high school, Ken attended Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. It was there that Ken decided to take a bird-watching class—an experience that he often talked about. After graduating, he went to University of Minnesota to study botany and environmental health in graduate school. While in Minnesota, Ken met Milly through mutual friends and their shared work with the International Committee Against Racism (InCAR). Ken and Milly married on Oct. 8, 1982 in Minneapolis, surrounded by their families and friends. In 1986, Ken started working for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), training in the greater Chicago area. Their first son, Sam, was born in the summer of that year.

After Ken was accepted for a position with OSHA in Long Beach, CA, the three of them moved there for a short period. Ken, Milly, and Sam returned to the Midwest, when Ken transferred to OSHA’s office in Milwaukee. Shortly after their move, they had their second son, Noah, in the winter of 1991. Ken lived most of his life in Milwaukee with his family. Throughout his career with OSHA, Ken published and presented papers on worker safety and led inspections of factories and industrial sites to test for harmful exposures. He served as an on-site safety officer during the cleanup after the World Trade Center’s destruction in New York City, and after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Ken lived a full life that was enriched by his passion for working on important causes like union stewardship and equal rights at work, refereeing soccer, and being with his family. Throughout his experience with ALS, he never lost his sense of humor. He loved the Yankees and folk music. He was an extraordinary father, grandfather and husband. In the end, he wanted to thank his family, especially his dear wife Milly, and his other caregivers for their loving care and support. He will be missed.

Ken’s family will be having a small virtual gathering to honor his life. To remember Ken and his commitment to helping others, his family wishes memorial contributions be donated to the ALS Association or the Worker Solidarity Fund.

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Cress Center

6021 University Ave.

Madison, WI  53705