Well known local community volunteer and retired Physical Therapist, Lee Shellman, died suddenly last night of an apparent heart attack.
Here’s what Lee’s son Scott wrote to friends this morning:
“Hello Friends:
I want to let you know that my dad passed away last night after suffering a heart attack. He drove his boat across Hayden Lake at about sunset (it was an absolutely stellar sunset last night), and called for help from the boat ramp where an unknown bystander stayed with him. He was brought back a few times, but couldn’t fight his weakened heart. We were able to say our goodbyes last night as he slipped away.”
Lee was my Campaign Manager when I ran for city council in 2005. He was a very nice person who cared deeply about his wonderful family and the Coeur d’Alene / Hayden community. Lee was a Physical Therapist here forever, he was a past Chairman of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, I think, as well as a state level position with the party. He was Chairman of the CdA Parks and Rec Commission for many years and won an elected position on the Kootenai Medical Center Board, where he currently served.
I’m sure there are many other accomplishments in Lee’s life. Feel free to add in any you know, in addition to any experiences or thoughts you might have about Lee.
Our condolences and prayers go out to his wonderful wife, Becky, as well as son Scott and the rest of the family.
Comment by mary — December 11, 2009 @ 9:32 am
Lee will be remembered with fondness. I worked with him during the late sixties and early seventies when he chaired the KCRCC. He served in the Idaho House of Representatives when I appointed him to fill in for me upon occasions when I had to tend to business. He was a good Republican, loyal American and a very fine fellow, indeed.
Comment by Gary Ingram — December 11, 2009 @ 10:55 am
I remember Lee was passionate about maintaining the sledding hill on Fifteenth Street. I think that he was the driving force in establishing this as a permanent element in the community.
Comment by Susie Snedaker — December 13, 2009 @ 9:48 am
Among Lee Shellman’s many actvities was being President of the Hayden Lake Watershed Association, Inc. Lee was passionate about preserving and protecting Hayden Lake water quality. This past summer he moved his permanent residence to his lake cabin. He also organized a water quality testing program on the lake with staff and students from the University of Idaho and the local high schools. His leadership of the HLWAI will be sorely missed as well as his strong voice in support of development practices around the lake that will save the lake and the lakeshore from further deterioration.
Comment by cecilwh — December 13, 2009 @ 11:23 am
cecilwh,
Welcome to OpenCda. Thanks for registering and commenting.
If you know, did Lee Shellman know Roy Mink? Roy does the water quality testing program on Cave Bay, and he too uses students from the U of I. I commend both of them for using students under close supervision. That helps the students gain real-world experience, and it usually keeps costs down to the recipients as well.
Comment by Bill — December 13, 2009 @ 11:35 am
Hey, Gary Ingram. What’s your take on Mike Kennedy’s post at an out-of-state newspaper blog about Lee?
It sure makes Lee out to be a RINO and liberal backstabber.
http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/hbo/2009/dec/12/mikek-remembering-lee-shellman/
Comment by Zapatista — December 13, 2009 @ 11:59 pm
Let’s be respectful to Lee Shellman here. However tacky Mr. Kennedy’s self-serving, slanted remarks on another blog, Lee should remain the positive focus of this topic.
Comment by mary — December 14, 2009 @ 7:02 am