Dr. Christopher Lewes Lee

Dr. Christopher Lewes Lee beloved husband, father, grandfather, surgeon, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 13, 1948, the eldest son of Dr. Charles E. Lee and Ethel Jane Blizzard Lee.

Chris grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, where he graduated from Dreher High School. He went on to graduate from Duke University before earning his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. It was there that he met the love of his life, Ellen, with whom he shared 53 wonderful years of marriage.

Following his General Surgery Internship with Tulane University, Chris proudly served his country in the United States Navy Reserve, living with his family in Italy. He later continued his military service in the Army Reserve, serving on a surgical team during Operation Desert Shield.
His dedication to service extended far beyond the military. As a gifted general surgeon, he cared for countless patients with extraordinary skill, compassion, and humility. He prayed with his patients prior to surgery and was the kind of physician who was just as happy to be paid in chickens or cross-stitched samplers as he was with money, valuing the gratitude of his patients above all else.

Chris devoted much of his career to teaching, generously sharing his knowledge with generations of Tulane surgical residents and medical students. A patient mentor, he believed that medicine was both a science and a vocation, and he took great joy in helping others become skilled, compassionate physicians.

He never met a stranger. Chris had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel welcome, often opening his home to students, residents, colleagues, and anyone far from family, ensuring there was always room at the supper table. His warmth, generosity, and genuine interest in others left an unforgettable impression on all who knew him, as did his uniquely-Chris sense of humor. He loved to share a clever joke, even when he was seemingly the only one who got it.

Chris possessed an insatiable curiosity and a lifelong love of history, genealogy, and learning. He delighted in tracing family histories, and discovering unexpected connections between people. It seemed that every new acquaintance eventually became part of a larger story, as Chris found common ancestors, shared hometowns, or remarkable historical ties that brought people together.

His greatest joy, however, was his family. He was especially cherished by his ten children and 19 grandchildren, who lovingly knew him as "Papa Doc." Whether building an apartment-sized chicken coop, teaching a grandchild how to safely swing a hatchet, searching for the perfect fishing hole, concocting his mad scientist kitchen creations, or simply encouraging curiosity and adventure, Papa Doc created memories that will be treasured for generations. He excelled at nurturing confidence, independence, and a sense of wonder in each of them --thanks in no small part to how he modeled what it means to march to one's own quirky beat.

A man of deep and abiding Catholic faith, Chris was was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and of The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, holding the rank of Commander with Star, where he found fellowship and another opportunity to serve others.

Chris is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Ellen Bordelon Lee; his children: Julia Hebert (Brian), Charles-Matthew Lee (Natalia), Jessica Clark (Mark), Nathanael Lee (Regina), Marialanna Lee (Matt McCoy), Gabrielle Rutherford (Will), Susanna Bertuzzi (Jack), Michaela Lee (Harry Asnien), Adriana Gottfried (Gordon), and Celine Lee; his beloved grandchildren: Amelie Verrette (Nick), Stuart Hebert, Evan Hebert (Caroline), Grant Hebert, Addison Lee, Sienna Lee, Noah Lee, Eliza Lee, Garrett Lee, Logan Clark, Rosalee Rutherford, Liam Rutherford, Leo Bertuzzi, Luna Bertuzzi, Stella Bertuzzi, Remi Asnien, Zoe Asnien, Owen Gottfried, and Margot Gottfried; his siblings, Frank Lee and Janet Lee Burnet and many cherished first cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, dear friends, former patients, colleagues, and students.

A gathering will take place 11am-12pm at St. Peter Catholic Church in Covington, Louisiana, followed by a funeral Mass at 12pm and a burial at St. Joseph Abbey at 1:15pm.