Dr. Steve Lee

Steve Seung-Koo Lee was born in rural Kimpo, South Korea on September 29, 1942, the youngest of six children. He attended Jemulpo High School in Inchon and later attended Koryo University in Seoul, where he went on to receive his M.D.

He met his future wife, Joyce Koeng-Ja Oh, while he was a resident at the Red Cross Hospital in Seoul. They married on November 18, 1967. Just several weeks after the ceremony, Dr. Lee immigrated to the United States to begin his internship at Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Lee joined him several months later, and gave birth to their first son, Keith.

Dr. Lee went on to do his residency in pathology at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, where daughter Jean was born. After completing his residency, he accepted a position at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha, where son Kevin was born. Dr. and Mrs. Lee became U.S. citizens in 1977.

The Lees moved to Des Moines in 1980. Dr. Lee was a pathologist at the VA Medical Center until 1987, when he joined the staff at Mercy Medical Center, where he remained for the rest of his career. Dr. Lee was wholly dedicated to his work; during the two years following the diagnosis of his lung cancer, he worked almost continuously, completing his last case only days before he passed.

Dr. Lee’s career was just one of his many passions. At different times in his life, he was an avid tennis player, golfer, world traveler, and photographer. He was a lifelong learner, attending medical conferences throughout his entire career and educating himself about history, music, and art. He loved to preside over gatherings of friends and family; he was a generous and gracious host.

He is survived by his wife; his son Keith and wife Jeri Lyn Reinhardt; daughter Jean and her husband Matthew Cole; son Kevin; and his older sister, Yang-Koo Seo.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be made at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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