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"Lee Drickamer died on April 6, 2026," writes Ted Raphael. "After years of painful spinal surgeries, he succumbed to kidney failure and cancer diagnosed last year, which he chose not to treat. I will not chronicle his many professional achievements, which are easily obtained online, but will focus on his personal attributes."
"He was passionately devoted to Oberlin. He authored three books about aspects of Oberlin's history and served as our last class president, despite coping with painful, degenerative medical conditions. We lived in the same section freshman and sophomore years and became friends. Upon retirement, he moved to Oberlin with his wife Judith." "In the last few years, every time I came to Oberlin, Lee would arrange a day's outing, while my spouse Molly attended BOT meetings, Among other adventures, we spent a day at the Cleveland Museum of Art and historic Cleveland neighborhoods, the new national park in Cuyahoga Valley, and a boat trip to an island in Lake Erie, visiting a memorial to Commodore Perry." "He was one of the most generous, kind, and thoughtful people in our class. His death is a great loss." |
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https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/azdailysun/name/lee-drickamer-obituary?id=61246390
Carl Brown (1967)
Thanks, Ted for letting us know. A very nice tribute to a true advocate for our class and Oberlin!
Kenneth Gass (1967)
Thanks, Ted, for the fine tribute to Lee, telling of his many pursuits and talents. I echo other's praise of his ardent support for Oberlin and our class, as well as his generosity. He was my one stop source for how to reach beloved faculty members.Tim Hurson (1967)
Lee and I lived across the hall from one another in Barrows 2. I remember him as a sweet, gullible, possibly over-enthusiastic guy. He always seemed to want to do the right thing, the good thing. In those days, that wasn’t the major trait of most incoming freshmen, at least not on our hall. I think we gave him a hard time. That wasn’t his fault, but ours. I have a vague memory of his defending Liver Lips Morton from our bullying. Thank goodness we matured a bit with age and the coming of winter. Lee toned down his saccharine cheerleader persona, and the rest of us toned down our post-beat, dark Kerouacian performative anger. Those concessions made for a better hall, a better us. What a lesson.
I was very grateful to Lee for taking over my role as class president after our 50th reunion. It was a role that no one wanted. It had no prestige or special perks, and I was getting pretty tired of it after about 15 years. But Lee, in all his sweetness, offered to take it over. I know he made a better president than I did. Thank you, Lee. I learned a ton from you, both at school and since.
Rest in peace, buddy.
Carl Brown (1967)
Tim - As your neighbor in Barrows 2 and also across from Lee in our freshman year, I thought your tribute was right on. Lee did want to do the right thing then and again later as president of the class. He was a kind gentle soul who cared about people!
Tim Hurson (1967)
Hope you're going well, Carl. I've missed your gentle wisdom. Do you ever make it to campus these days?
Carl Brown (1967)
Tim - Many summers I do stop by Campus and stay at Mark Jaffee's house. It's usually the end of July or early August. The focus of the trip is to visit my late wife''s family farm in Ado, Ohio. I enjoy seeing Mark and Kathy and getting their perspective on the College. Do you still go to campus? Text 928.227.7584 - let's stay in touch.
Tim Hurson (1967)
I do visit campus. I'm on the advisory board of the college's innovation and entrepreneurial activities. But have stepped back a bit lately. As you probably know, Oberlin is building a business department, which has become a draw for the kinds of students.the college never used to think much about. It's been a refreshing change. At the same time, it's been hard to balance the changing effect of this new-to-Oberlin discipline on the community. My druthers would be somewhat less focus on business and more on innovation.
if you do plan to be there this summer, please let me know. Maybe we can intersect. I'd love to see you again.
Chuck Dickinson (1967)
Ted / Tim / Carl ... thank you for your memories and comments. I didn't really know Lee, but they all seem true and insightful ... Chuck
Carl Brown (1967)
Tim - I will be in Oberlin on the afternoon of July 29 and leaving the next day. Happyrock67@icloud.com - if that might work. I am staying with Mark Jaffee that evening!
Tim Hurson (1967)
You're a busy fellow, Carl! I'm not sure I can juggle a quick in-and-out then, but I'll look into it. Despite being extremely close as the crow flies, there are rarely reasonable CLE <> YYZ flights. You can probably fly cheaper from Phoenix then I can from Toronto.
It'd be great to see you, though. I remember that you and I had some good, and moving, talks at one of our reunion gatherings some years back.