He grew up in the Boy Scout program and worked hard to earn the Eagle Scout Award, an award he treasured.  His love of swimming, canoeing, and camping started from his years as a Boy Scout.   As a young adult, he learned to downhill ski, something that he enjoyed for many years.  He fulfilled his fondest dream in February when he skied one run at Breckenridge, CO with his 4 year old granddaughter Evie and his son, daughter-in-law and daughter.   He grew up golfing with his dad, and this was a lifelong interest.  His favorite golf partners were his dad, his son, and friend Bruce Watson.

He married his high school sweetheart, Bonny Cox on August 29, 1970. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1971 with a bachelor's degree in medical technology. He worked at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Stoughton Community Hospital before being lab director at River Falls Area Hospital and St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo.  In 1981, he became laboratory director at Community Hospital in Watervliet, where he worked until his retirement in 2009 for health reasons.

After suffering from Type I Diabetes for 35 years, Lee received a lifesaving kidney and pancreas transplant in January 1997 at the University of Minnesota.  This was a defining moment for him and gave him 18 ½ more years to enjoy life.

Lee and Bonny were avid University of Wisconsin fans, and loved watching Badger football and basketball games together.  Lee is survived by his wife Bonny, son Christopher (Maya) Kulick of Breckenridge CO, daughter Beth (Gireesh) Kulick Sonnad of Brooklyn NY, grandchildren Evie and Margot Kulick and Kailash Sonnad.  He leaves behind brothers-in-law Brent (Patricia) Cox, David (Cathy Jo Aspenson) Cox, Michael (Judy) Cox, and Scott (Merri Larsen) Cox, and sister-in-law Beverly Cox, along with nephews Yarrow (Michelle) Babb, Wesley (Tiffany) Cox, Cassius Cox, and nieces Angela (Floyd) Worth, Heidi Voelker, Dakota Cox, Lillie Cox, and Claire Cox and father-in-law Wilbar Cox, plus many cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet on Thursday, July 9 from 6PM-8PM.

Funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Bernard's Catholic Church on Friday, July 10 at 11:00AM.  In lieu of flowers, it was Lee's request that donations be made to:

Schulze Diabetic Institute

University of Minnesota

http://www.diabetes.umn.edu/