Nicholas Broadbent Lee

Nicholas Broadbent Lee
September 27, 1986 to April 5, 2008

Nicholas Broadbent Lee was born on September 27, 1986, in Eugene, Oregon to Scott and Laurie Lee. His younger brother, Nathan was born in 1990, and although 4 years separated the two, their adoration for one another was obvious. While Nick was growing up, the Lee’s moved around, from Oregon to Salt Lake City, and then finally to Bryan, Texas, where Nick went to high school. Even though the Lee’s settled in Bryan, they still traveled quite a bit: a one-month stint in Austria, many summers fishing commercially in Alaska, and two three-month trips to Italy. On the second trip to Italy, when Nick was a sophomore in high school, he met his fiancée to be: Jennifer Bartels.

Nick always had a passion for hard physical work. His Alaskan summers were physically grueling, but he also loved demanding sports, such as mountain biking, snow-boarding, water polo, and swimming. He began swimming around the age of 5, and continued to swim successfully through this, his junior year at Rose-Hulman.

Nick had a smile that lit up rooms, a quiet confidence, and a magnetic personality that drew people to him. He loved his friends, flourishing in their company, and triumphing in their successes. He seemed indifferent to the limelight, yet he always seemed to be surrounded by friends. One of his closest friends at Rose-Hulman, Ben Butz, said, “I’ve had more great times with Nick in the few years I’ve known him, than I’ve had with people I’ve been friends with my entire life.” All of Nick’s friends can say the same, and he will be sorely missed.

The phrase “low maintenance” was coined to describe Nick. He had a sweet disposition, and always strove to please and support his friends and family. He was patient, responsible, and pragmatic to a fault. He set life goals and pursued them with focus and determination, yet he maintained the balance to savor every moment of his life.

Nick had a wonderful relationship with Jen Bartels, his fiancée. He was within weeks of completing his junior year in biomedical engineering at Rose, and he was looking forward to working as a biomedical engineering intern this summer in Houston.

Nick traveled extensively with his family, living in Utah, Italy, and Austria. From the time he could walk, he worked summers in Alaska with his family as a commercial salmon fisherman. He worked longer and harder than most grown men will ever know, and knew how to enjoy the effort.

Nick was also a Varsity letter-winner and captain of the Rose-Hulman swim team. The bonds he created with his fellow swimmers were those of mutual friendship and respect.

Nick was a great son, an incredible friend, and an outstanding example of how we all should live our lives. Nick had the innate ability to brighten any situation and positively influenced everyone with whom he came into contact. We are all lucky to have had him in our lives, and although he will be missed, he will never be forgotten.

“When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that, in truth, you are weeping for that which has been your delight...”

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We met Nick three years ago, freshman year at Rose-Hulman. Over our three years at Rose, we have never worked so hard in our lives, but we also had the time of our lives. Nick was an important part of our group. His being there guaranteed that there would be a good time. Even if there was nothing to do we could just give him a hard time for his huge black pants and all was well. We all lived in a house together and he always went well out of his way to make sure others that came to visit were having a good time. We wouldn’t trade the years we spent with Nick for anything in the world. We had some awesome experiences, and we made stories we will tell for the rest of our lives.

Kevin Butler, Ben Butz, and Doug Hale — Friends