Lee Foundation chairman Lee Seng Gee dies, 95

Philanthropist remembered for humility, compassion
Late Lee Seng Gee described by those who knew him as generous, kind and modest
By Kok Xing Hui, The Straits Times, 12 May 2016

Thousands gathered to pay their last respects to philanthropist Lee Seng Gee at his family home in Meyer Road yesterday.

Mr Lee, who died aged 95 on Tuesday, had been ill for several years. He was the eldest son of philanthropist Lee Kong Chian, one of the founders of OCBC Bank.

He was also the chairman of the Lee Foundation, which supports many charities, schools, and medical and cultural activities.

His maternal grandfather was the rubber tycoon and philanthropist Tan Kah Kee.

Those who attended his wake yesterday included President Tony Tan Keng Yam, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob and businessman Chua Thian Poh.

Mr Lee was remembered by many as a kind and down-to-earth man. Mr Goh said: "He was a very simple, modest and generous man. Despite the wealth that he had, you'd never know because he never flaunted it."

Others who came to pay their respects also recalled how donations from the Lee Foundation helped their causes, whether they were educational institutions or religious organisations.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in a condolence letter to Mr Lee's wife Della Susantio Lee, said Singapore has had many successful businessmen but few like Mr Lee, who was "even more successful as a philanthropist".

Said PM Lee: "He was a rare, selfless and humble individual who contributed to Singapore throughout his life." PM Lee added that the Lee Foundation donated close to $1 billion to various causes regardless of race, language and religion.

Madam Halimah, who is also an MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, said: "I know him as a very compassionate, very kind, very supportive gentleman."

The late Mr Lee supported the poor, and causes related to education and the Malay community, having donated generously to Jamiyah Singapore, said Madam Halimah.

Aljunied GRC MP Pritam Singh, from the Workers' Party, said the Lee Foundation has also helped Aljunied residents, and that he came to pay his respects on behalf of his constituents.

"The foundation has been very generous towards the Sikh community as well," added Mr Singh.

Heads of academic institutions that benefited from the Lee Foundation, such as Duke-NUS Medical School - represented by dean Thomas Coffman - were also present.

Nanyang Technological University president Bertil Andersson said Mr Lee was the "driving force" behind a $150 million donation to the university's new medical school in 2011.

"It was the biggest donation ever for academia in Singapore. We are very, very grateful for what he has done for us," said Prof Andersson.

Property magnate Chua Thian Poh, founder of the Ho Bee Group, said he was friends with Mr Lee for a very long time, and that they met when Mr Chua was president of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Speaking in Mandarin, he said: "He doesn't talk much but he's a very warm person. He's done a lot of good things for this society."

Mr Lee's wake will be held at 87 Meyer Road today from 9am and the funeral service will start at 11am.

Mr Lee's cortege will leave the family home at 1pm and drive past the OCBC Building in Chulia Street as well as his home in Sentosa Cove before heading to Bright Hill Crematorium and Columbarium.

Mr Lee's family has asked that well-wishers donate to the Singapore General Hospital, Jamiyah Singapore or Kong Meng San Temple.

Lee Foundation chairman Lee Seng Gee dies, 95
By Marissa Lee, The Straits Times, 11 May 2016

The chairman of the respected Lee Foundation charity, Mr Lee Seng Gee, died at his home at age 95 yesterday, with his wife Della at his side.

Mr Lee, who had been ill for some years, was the eldest son of philanthropist Lee Kong Chian, one of the founders of OCBC Bank.

His maternal grandfather was the rubber tycoon and philanthropist Tan Kah Kee.

Mr Lee's philanthropic efforts earned him the Public Service Star in 1992 and an honorary Doctor of Letters from the National University of Singapore in 2002.

In 2009, he received an honorary Doctor of Letters from Nanyang Technological University for his contribution to education in Singapore and his stewardship of the Lee group of companies.

In his speech, he had said: "I share this love of learning and the importance of education with my late father. We both believe that education has the power to make society more equal for every member of society. Education plays an important role in helping people learn to be responsible members of society."



Mr Lee took over the chairmanship of the Lee Foundation in 1965, which had been set up by his father in 1952.

The Lee Foundation is practically synonymous with philanthropy. Among its donations, it contributed $25 million to the building of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, which opened its doors last year.

In a Facebook post last night, President Tony Tan Keng Yam said Singapore has benefited from Dr Lee's "lifelong contributions" in the business and social sectors.

"Seng Gee's spirit of perseverance, resilience and giving back to the society will continue to be an inspiration to Singaporeans across generations," he wrote.

Mr Lee is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter and their spouses, and six grandchildren. Mr Lee's youngest brother Lee Seng Wee, the former chairman of OCBC Bank, died in August last year.

The wake will be held at 87 Meyer Road today from noon to midnight, and tomorrow from 9am. The funeral will be held tomorrow at 11am.

Mr Lee's family has asked that well-wishers donate to the Singapore General Hospital, Jamiyah Singapore or Kong Meng San Temple.