FRANK LEE

Frank was born on November 3, 1948 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Ning (Frank) Lee and Poling Lee.  The Lee family moved to Southern California when Frank was 12 years old. While Frank’s father was born in China, his mother’s family had resided in Peru before settling in the US.  Frank’s parents met and married after Ning served with the United States Armed Forces in World War II in the Pacific.  Afterward, the Lee family careers centered in the restaurant business spanning many different states until finally settling in Florida.  Ning passed away soon after Frank and Sharon were married.  Because Frank’s mother, Poling, stayed in Florida, Frank, Sharon and Poling enjoyed taking turns flying either to the East or West coast to visit each other.  Frank took precious care of his mother until her death in 2010.  Frank’s mother, father, and sister, Ginny, preceded Frank in death. 

Very early in life, Frank developed unique, life-long work ethics and ambitions that led him to UCLA after graduating from Van Nuys High School, dedicating himself both to his studies and to financially supporting himself during his undergraduate endeavors in Engineering, Political Science and Psychology.  After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Frank began employment as a bank teller to support himself and to fund his efforts in securing an MBA.  This led to his lifelong connection to banking, culminating in a very successful career life spanning 48 years with national and international banks in all the major financial centers in California;  Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego.  Frank earned and accepted many leadership roles in these respected banking institutions, retiring from his distinguished leadership career two years ago as Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer of California Bank and Trust. 

Frank and Sharon met while working on their MBAs at California State University.  When they married, Frank appreciated how they were enthusiastically embraced by his new extended family, leading to deep reciprocating relationships.  Frank and Sharon happily began the tradition of travel to mid-West family events, celebrations, holidays, vacations and milestones over the years.    His nieces and nephews were important to him, and he often spoke of them as his ‘adopted kids.’  He loved them, and was proud of them all.

Frank’s personal ethics were visible throughout his enduringly successful career in banking, and the same set of values applied to his friendships.  While Frank was private and unassuming, he was also very self-assured, loyal and generous.  These qualities attracted many people who became lifelong friends with him and Sharon.  He enriched many lives both professionally and personally. He was supportive, he mentored, and he gave help.  He was trustworthy.  He seriously lived his values; believing in honesty, keeping his word, avoiding short-cuts, and keeping confidences while maintaining a good sense of humor, including laughing at himself when so inspired.

Frank remained intellectually curious long after his academic achievements were completed.   He was a life-long enthusiast of acquiring new information and knowledge.  He researched, embraced, and collected ideas, which may have morphed into his passion for collecting books on eclectic and far-ranging subjects.  He enjoyed new technologies and the acquisition and application of technologies in his life.  Frank loved music of many genres, and he ‘collected’ playlists of his favorites.  This appreciation of music paralleled another of his enthusiastic collections--movies.   He loved sports and his favorite team was the 49ers.  Frank generously shared his interests with his family and friends.

Frank’s successes in life were due to his bravery—to first believe in himself at an early age and to give everything he had in achieving his goals.  When Frank faced challenging illnesses during his early fifties, his bravery and Sharon’s dedication carried them to weather the challenges until he regained his health.  Frank passed away suddenly, on October 15, 2020 in Sharon’s loving arms, at age 71, due to cardiac arrest.  Memories of him will be lovingly held and appreciated by so many family members and friends for many years to come.