Retired Los Angeles County Deputy Fire Chief Robert Lee Dies at 77

Retired Los Angeles County Deputy Fire Chief Robert Lee, a long-time Pasadena resident who became the first African American Battalion Chief, Assistant Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief in the history of the LA County Fire Department, has passed away. He was 77. 

Chief Lee served the County of Los Angeles for 37 years, the last 31 years as a professional firefighter with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. He was promoted through the LA County Fire Department as a firefighter paramedic, firefighter specialist, captain, battalion chief, assistant fire chief, and deputy fire chief. 

As a deputy fire chief, Lee served in Administrative Services and later in the Prevention Bureau.

Chief Lee became the first African American battalion chief in the history of the LA County Fire Department in 1984. He was later promoted to Assistant Fire Chief and then to Deputy Fire Chief, again becoming the first African American to ever hold those positions in the department.

As a chief officer, Lee was assigned to the San Gabriel Valley. Under his leadership, his division was the first in the county to institute the RESCUE Youth Program, a countywide Fire Department/District Attorney partnership to mentor at-risk youth. 

Chief Lee was also a member of the Altadena/Crown City Kiwanis Club for over 40 years.

Chief Lee was formally educated in the Los Angeles City School System. Graduating from Manual Arts High School in 1963, he went to California State University, Los Angeles and graduated with a degree in Fire Protection Engineering. While with the Fire Department, Chief Lee attended numerous classes at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He also participated in the Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. 

Prior to serving the County of Los Angeles, Chief Lee served in the United States Air Force for four years.

Chief Lee was married to his wife, Diane Lee, for 52 years. They raised five children together: Detra, Denise, and Eric, Demetria and Antonio, and have several grandchildren and one great-grandson. 

The funeral services for Chief Lee will be held on Friday, July 8 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Skyrose Chapel, 3888 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier, CA 90601.