David W. Lee

Born in Wenatchee, Washington, David Lee grew up in Ephrata, where his parents John and Mary Lee owned and operated the movie theaters in the area. David graduated from Ephrata High School in 1961, where he was an excellent student and participated in sports, lettering in football, basketball and track. He always appreciated the excellent head start he received at EHS in his life-long pursuit of education and learning. He also formed friendships in Ephrata that he nurtured and maintained throughout his life, no matter where he was in the world. Lured by the school's excellent biology department, David enrolled at Pacific Lutheran University after high school. Midway through college, he dropped out for a year, and carrying everything he needed on his back, David took the proverbial slow boat to the South Pacific, exploring New Zealand, Fiji, the Society Islands and Hawaii. From these exotic travels, he was inspired to become a botanist.