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Condolences:
Asa Nasasira
RIP shwekuru as commonly used to say in our language here in Uganda ,we will live to miss h so much our loving Lee ,thank u so much for supporting us
Joel Schauer
I had the honor of working with Lee on the JAM board, wrestling with the work of a newly formed organization. We teamed up on several trips to Uganda. One of the churches that we went to had dirt floors and one drum but the dancing and worship was amazing. Lee said "you know it is good worship when the air is thick with dust" Another Lee-ism: "going to Uganda was like plugging into a spiritual electrical socket". Lee was young at heart and his positive spirit was contagious. I will miss you my friend.
Tharwat Wahba
It is so hard for me to say goodbye to a dear brother and friend. Lee was a loving humble man of God. His love for the church in general and for the Egyptian church in specific was so precious. I can't forget his behind seen work to encourage and help the churches. His hospitality also is a great example of Christian love. We will miss a dear brother but we will remember his life as an example of a real servant of the Lord. We will meet soon.Tharwat Wahba, Egypt
Judy Mayer
Rest In Peace my friend❤️ The Lord will say great job my son to you as you enter His Kingdom. Lee was a kind & caring to all that knew him. His charitable work made a big impact on the lives of many. My sincere sympathy to Lee’s family & the Love of his life Clara❤️🙏🏻
Shelly and Dickie Anderson
So sad to hear of Lee's death. Too sudden. His talents will be missed by all.
Linda and Jim Vaclavik
We miss you, Lee. Although we did not see you often, it was always a fun and memorable time. May peace be with you.
Amy and Rob Laidlaw
Lee was a wonderful person, a church stalwart, one to bring happiness and hope to so many in Uganda, one to share a meaningful Korean routine with his friends - we are so shocked and sad, especially for Clara, also our friend
Lee Benson Mulder
2021-08-03
Lee Benson Mulder, 75, passed away on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at UF Health Jacksonville, Florida, surrounded by family during his last days.
From the outpouring of love and sadness for Lee, his children are blessed to hear the extent of his impact on the lives of others.
Lee was born to Robert “Bob” Mulder, Jr., and Margaret “Peg” Mulder on December 18, 1945, in Oak Park, Illinois. His family lived in Maywood then in Park Ridge where he graduated from Maine Township High School East. Lee was a frequent medalist in Illinois high school state gymnastics and became a skilled and passionate sailor.
After heading to the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Lee married fellow student Linda Rose Mottl in 1967. He worked on the university yearbook staff and as a stringer for the Associated Press; he also enjoyed his memberships with the Badger Cheerleading Squad and Phi Gamma Delta men’s fraternity. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, Lee’s writing and photography skills led him to The Paper for Central Wisconsin in Oshkosh and assignments throughout Door County. Returning to Illinois, Lee lived in Oak Park and was the editor of the Kraft Foods Magazine and Merchandise Mart publications in Chicago before moving to Naperville and becoming the public relations manager for the software company Pansophic Systems.
Lee’s household included Chloe, a yellow-naped Amazon parrot, and later his daughter Sonia, who was born in 1974. In 1980, Lee moved to Glen Ellyn and married Sharon Stahlheber. They founded Corporate Communications Associates (CCA), a technology marketing agency that they owned for 15 years. Lee was a member of the Chicago Yacht Club and First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn where he was an elder, usher, and promoter of Presbyterian Camps and Missions.
Lee’s son William was born in 1987 and his daughter Emily in 1991. Following the sale of CCA, Lee’s interests led to new businesses in fine dining computer systems, nation-wide yacht sales, and The Thirsty Fox bar in St. Charles. Beginning in 1996, Lee was actively involved in Christian missions which took him to Europe, Peru, Mexico, Honduras, Egypt, Ethiopia, Dubai, Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda. Deeply burdened by the realities of orphaned children left to survive on their own, Lee became a founding board member of Juna Amagara Ministries (JAM), an AIDS orphan ministry in Uganda, East Africa. For the remainder of his life, Lee conducted countless fundraisers for JAM and led more than 20 mission teams to Uganda. Financial support grew whenever Lee used his gift with words and camera to share stories of lives changed by Juna Amagara.
Lee realized his life-long dream of living in a warm climate when he moved to Amelia Island, FL, in 2015 with his loving companion Clara Leonard. As a member of Amelia Plantation Chapel and Chairman of the Outreach Committee, his leadership energized others to fulfill the purpose of the church. He also was an active participant in the Watchmen prayer group and a men’s community Bible study where he was an encouragement to all.
Throughout his life Lee was a prolific photojournalist and writer, authoring nine books. His optimism shines through his most recent book, Boat Bottoms – Fine Art Below the Waterline, where he captured the beauty he saw in peeling paint, barnacles, and fading colors.
His children will remember Lee for many off-the-beaten-path adventures, extensive reading, creative ideas, countless crossword puzzles, witty humor, and constant encouragement to follow their passions.
Lee is survived by his partner, Clara Leonard; brother, Robert “Skip” Mulder, III; son, Will (fiancée Vicky) Mulder; daughter Emily Mulder; daughter Sonia (Jeff) Gaschler; granddaughters Hannah and Laura Gaschler and, as he would often say, his 800 other grandchildren in Uganda.
Memorial Celebration of Life services will be held at Amelia Plantation Chapel, Amelia Island, Florida, on Saturday, August 28 at 2:00 PM and the First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn, Illinois on Saturday, September 11 at 2:00 PM.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Juna Amagara Ministries, P.O. Box 2384, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 or www.amagara.org.
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