Arthur Boyd Lee, aged 87, of Potsdam, NY and Maplewood Campus, Canton, died August 3rd at CPH after a brief illness. In 1968 he moved to the North Country with his family to create a personnel department at Clarkson College. He continued his career at Clarkson and retired as Human Resources director in 1988.

Art was born in Plainfield, New Jersey on August 14th, 1929 to Peter & Margaret Lee. A child of the depression, Art moved extensively as a child. After a semester of college he hitchhiked to Seattle, where he got a job on a salmon fishing boat. He spent the year fishing the west coast disembarking in San Diego. Art joined the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed at Travis Air Force base. He attended the University of Miami on the GI bill, graduating with a degree in Geology, but still found time for deep sea fishing and trips to Cuba and the Keys. It was at the University of Miami that he met his beloved Stephanie, while seeking post graduate employment; as he was oft to say “I didn’t get the job, but I got the girl.”

The couple married in 1959, and in 1964 moved to Istanbul, Turkey with their two young children. Art was appointed Personnel Director of Robert College, in Bebek, and the family lived a vibrant and adventurous life with fellow members of the ex-pat community. Art’s deep love of history, culture and the arts was nurtured by the unique friendships made overseas.

Arthur was a man of quick wit, charm, and had a pair of sparkling blue eyes to rival Paul Newman’s. Art possessed a gentleman’s skill; he will be remembered not only for his honesty but also for making those around him feel special, often delivered by a simple, heart-felt compliment. After retiring from Clarkson University he was a core worker volunteer for the Potsdam Cooperative and served on the Board of Indian Creek Nature Center. He continued to travel and explore, and would often be found auditing a history class at SUNY Potsdam in his spare time.

An adventurer at heart, Art loved to travel and explore new places, peoples and cultures. So much so, at the age of 70, he got a tattoo while vacationing in Barbados. He was a man who loved the vibrancy of cities, but would just as easily revel in the quiet simplicity of a country garden, drives on the backroads of St. Lawrence County, fishing a trout stream, and having a cup of coffee while watching birds.

Art was predeceased by his wife Stephanie, in 2006, and his three siblings Barbara, Paul, and Betty. He leaves two children and their spouses: Mark & Abby Lee of Potsdam and Sue & Dan Robinson of Embrun, Ontario, eight grandchildren and their spouses: Jason & Kelly Emburey, Brian & Kristen Emburey of North Carolina, Olivia Lee of Boston, Scott Bartenstein of Syracuse, Sam Lee of Potsdam, Katie & Dan Markis, Erin & Josh Brown, and Jamie & Bill Wood of Syracuse along with six great grandchildren: Madison, Ryder, Parker, Camden, Wesley, and Avery Mae.. He also leaves his sister in law, Mary Lee of Princeton, brother in law & sister in law Steve Hacker and Sharon Hacker of California, and his nephews and niece, respectively: Greg and Rosemary Lee, NJ; Brian and Susan Hacker of San Diego , and Carrie & David Goyette of Huntington Beach, California.

Friends may call Monday 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the Donaldson-Seymour Funeral Home, 4 Cedar Street, Potsdam, where friends and relatives will be encouraged to share memories and stories about Art at 6:00 PM. Burial will be held privately at Bayside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Bayside Cemetery, Potsdam.