Rex Edwin Lee touched the lives of many people, made evident by the reactions from academic, legal, political and religious leaders upon hearing the news of his death.
The following are comments from those who knew and worked with him:- The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
"Surely, the passing of Rex E. Lee is felt uppermost by the family members so dear to him, but it also is felt by those in the other elements of society, to which he contributed so much in a lifetime of service.
"His contributions to his chosen profession of the law are legion. He was a successful attorney, founding dean of the Brigham Young University Law School and served the nation as U.S. solicitor general.
"He was devoted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life and served in a variety of positions, culminating with a successful tenure as president of Brigham Young University.
"One of his greatest accomplishments in life was to exhibit a positive and enthusiastic outlook and tremendous courage in the face of extreme physical adversity. Beset for years with devastating medical challenges, he refused to sit back and complain. Rather, he fought on and continued to make valuable contributions in all facets of his life.
"Rex Lee will sorely be missed by all he personally touched and by society in general."
- BYU President Merrill J. Bateman: "The BYU community is deeply saddened at the passing of former President Rex E. Lee. With his wife by his side, he presided over the university community for almost seven years. In spite of the health challenges he faced, including two forms of cancer, his leadership was energetic, spiced with wit and full of optimism.
"His significant accomplishments at the university included a streamlining of the procedures to shorten the time from entry to graduation; a highly successful capital campaign; a clear statement on academic freedom at BYU; a warm outreach to faculty, staff and students through question-and-answer sessions; and significant additions to the physical plant. His re-emphasis on attendance at forum and devotional assemblies plus his youthful exuberance brought a special sense of school spirit.
"Marilyn and I are especially saddened with the loss of a close, personal friend and neighbor of 20 years. We will miss the charm, wit, keen intellect and genuine friendship that characterizes Rex. He had a unique talent of making people feel comfortable in his presence. He was always self-effacing as he made others feel important.
"It is with a special feeling of love for Janet and the family that we express our deep sense of loss for this wonderful, guileless friend who stood the test of time and will be numbered among those great men who traveled this Earth."
- Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, U.S. Supreme Court, said Tuesday she was saddened to learn of Mr. Lee's death. She said she and Mr. Lee first met while she was serving in the Arizona Legislature and he was practicing law in Arizona.
"He was a first-rate lawyer, a first-rate person and a good friend," O'Connor said. "I was very fortunate to have known him."
She said Mr. Lee did a "wonderful job" in his capacity as U.S. solicitor general. "All of us were impressed with Rex Lee as an advocate before the court. He was always well-prepared, relaxed, and he had a good sense of humor."
- Former Justice Byron White, U.S. Supreme Court: "We'll all miss him. The country should be grateful for his service."
- Judge Dee Benson, U.S. District Court: "Rex Lee's passing, for the legal world, is like baseball losing Cal Ripken. We lost somebody who made the game better. He was just one of those remarkable human beings who seemed to put it all together and was capable of being extremely devoted to his work, and at the same time capable of being extremely devoted to his church and family. I met him first when he was dean of the law school and I was a student at BYU. He was amazing because he made anti-trust law classes interesting. He was like Johnny Carson up there, and they could have sold tickets to his constitutional law classes. In terms of his health, Rex wouldn't give up, but he wasn't obnoxious about it, either. He was a great friend and he'll be missed."
- President Arthur K. Smith, University of Utah: "June and I are deeply saddened at the untimely passing of our good friend and colleague Rex Lee. Our friendship with Rex and his wife, Janet, was close and greatly valued, both in the professional meetings we attended together and in more personal associations we enjoyed with them. The nation and the state of Utah have lost a dynamic leader who distinguished himself in a lifetime of service to education and the law."
- President George Emert, Utah State University: "Rex was a man of extraordinary ability and sensitivity, giving heart and soul to whatever task was at hand. In the three-plus years of my association with him, I saw absolutely nothing less than what one would hope to see from a first-class human being. Rex and Janet have been very supportive of both Billie and me. We had an excellent working relationship, joining forces to accomplish a number of tasks of importance to our state. Billie and I have been very fond of the Lees. On behalf of Utah State University, we extend our deepest sympathies to Janet, their family, and the students and faculty of BYU."
- Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah: "Rex Lee was one of my dearest friends. But friendship aside, he was one of the greatest human beings I have ever known. Everybody knows what a great lawyer he was, and everybody should know what a great husband and father he was. I also admired his devotion to his own faith and uplifting way of life. He was a magnificent president of BYU at a time when it needed his brand of wisdom. I truly loved him and my heart goes out to Janet and his exceptional children and family."
- Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah: "I am deeply saddened at the news of Rex Lee's passing. He was a great and good friend to whom I turned for advice on constitutional matters but more importantly for friendship on a personal level. He will greatly be missed. I extend deepest sympathy to Janet and the family."
- Rep. Bill Orton, D-Utah: "Rex Lee has been my hero for a long time. I've known him for 20 years, first when he was the dean of the law school, and he was my mentor, then my colleague. He was also my stake president and we worked closely together in a spiritual sense as well. The legal profession and the church has lost a real giant with his passing. He will be missed. My prayers go out to Janet and the family. They'll miss him more than anyone."
- Gov. Mike Leavitt: "Rex Lee provided distinguished, wise and unwavering service to his professional and religious communities despite tremendous adversity. I have great respect and admiration for him and for the contributions he has made to Utah and the nation. My thoughts are with his family as they adjust to this loss and learn to live without his day-to-day love and leadership."