David L Lee

MADISON- David Lloyd Lee, age 85, died peacefully on Oct. 13, 2023. He was born on Sept. 16, 1938, in Milwaukee, Wis., the son of Malcom and Ada M. Lee.

David graduated from Lincoln High School in 1956 and joined the U.S Air Force where he served as a Nuclear Weapons Fusing System Technician in the United States and various places overseas.

In 1960 he began attending college and graduated from the University of Madison with a B.A. in Psychology in 1964. He worked for the State of Wisconsin Division of Children and Youth as a Social Worker then earned a master’s degree (MSSA) from Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He returned to work for DCY in Milwaukee before moving to Madison again in 1969 to pursue a law degree. From 1972 to 1977 he worked with Quackenbush Law Offices before setting up his own private practice in Monona.  

David was a long-time member of the Monona Serenity Club. In 1985 he began to develop an interest in Chemical Dependency Counseling working eventually as East Side Clinic Coordinator for the Madison Family Institute. In 1988 he retired from active Practice of Law to devote full time to the practice of addiction counseling. He subsequently was employed at McBride Counseling Center as a psychotherapist and at Tellurian Outpatient Services as a clinician. David held credentials of Certified Independent Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor III.

David was a lifelong student, always seeking to improve his knowledge and skills. He enjoyed gardening, making music, working out and spending time with friends. But most of all he enjoyed feeding people. Whether it was supper for his evening group or entertaining friends, he always had something in the kitchen. David will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched.

David is survived by his wife, Phyllis; sister-in-law, Shirley (Bryan) Herman; brother-in-law, Edward (Julie) Lasek; nieces, Briana (Daryl) Spors, Brenda (Jim) Bailey and Sara (Brian Fredricks) Herman; great-nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by the stepson he was so proud of, Steven E. Gorsege; and members of his wife’s immediate family whom he loved.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12 noon until the time of the service on Saturday.

Memorials may be gifted in David’s name to: The Beacon, The Madison Boys and Girls Club, or Southern Poverty Law Office.

A special thanks to all the wonderful staff at UW Hospital and Agrace HospiceCare for their compassionate care. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral and Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420