Condolence Letter from President Tony Tan Keng Yam on the passing of Dr Lee Seng Gee

11 May 2016

Dear Della,

Mary and I are deeply saddened by the passing of your beloved husband, Dr Lee Seng Gee.  He made many significant contributions to Singapore, in both business and philanthropy.  Seng Gee lived the values of hard work, enterprise and giving that his father, Mr Lee Kong Chian had espoused.

As Chairman of the Lee Rubber Group, one of our leading exporters of rubber, Seng Gee contributed to the establishment of Singapore as a global trading hub for rubber, especially in the early years of Singapore’s development.   After World War II, Seng Gee rebuilt the family business with tenacity and boldness of vision as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Lee Group of businesses, leading the company to grow steadily over the years.  A leader in the adoption of technology, Seng Gee led the Lee Group to be among the first in Singapore to be computerised, as early as the 1950s. Many of his staff remembered him as a firm, fair and kind man who believed in them, took care of their interests and sincerely cared for their well-being.

Seng Gee was synonymous with the Lee Foundation, which was set up to continue the legacy of giving established by his father.  As Chairman of the Lee Foundation, Seng Gee was a strong supporter of various social causes, especially education, medicine, welfare for the underprivileged and the arts. Many of our universities have benefitted from generous contributions from the Lee Foundation that made quality university education more accessible to Singaporeans regardless of their family or financial background. Under Seng Gee’s leadership, the Lee Foundation made major contributions to the development of public amenities for the benefit of Singaporeans from all walks of life, including the National Library Building and the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum – the first natural history museum in South East Asia. The Lee Foundation was also a long-time supporter of national philanthropic movements such as the President’s Challenge and the Community Chest. Seng Gee’s genuine concern for the less fortunate was demonstrated in how he often made private visits to welfare homes, especially during festive occasions.

Singapore has benefitted from Seng Gee’s lifelong contributions in the business and social sectors. His spirit of perseverance, resilience and giving back to society will be an inspiration to Singaporeans across generations.  

Please accept our deepest condolences to you and your family on your great loss.

Yours sincerely,

TONY TAN KENG YAM