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Charles T. Lee Jr., 94, longtime internist in Chestnut Hill

Dr. Charles Trumbull Lee Jr., 94, of Chestnut Hill, an internist who specialized in the treatment of diabetics for more than three decades, died Feb. 7 of cerebral atherosclerosis at his home in Cathedral Village, Roxborough.

During 36 years as a physician, Dr. Lee was affiliated with Chestnut Hill Hospital, serving as president of the hospital medical staff from 1963 to 1965, and as a hospital trustee from 1976 to 1979. He retired in 1991.

Known as "Chat," he was the only child of Charles T. and Florence Upton Lee.

Dr. Lee grew up in St. Davids and graduated in 1941 from Episcopal Academy. He enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania and entered its six-year undergraduate medical school program established during World War II to accelerate the training of physicians at a time when they were needed by the country and the armed forces.

After graduating from Penn in 1947, he continued his training in internal medicine at Pennsylvania Hospital. From 1949 to 1951, Dr. Lee served as an Army captain in Japan and Korea, assigned to one of the army's first MASH units, the 8055th. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

When interviewed by a grandson, he said the MASH experience wasn't at all like that depicted in the TV series M*A*S*H. "It was these doctors working hard with a lot of injured people," said daughter Margaret L. Ells. "The unit was very mobile."

In 1953, Dr. Lee was selected as a McCrae Fellow in Medicine at Guy's Hospital in London. He returned home in 1954, and a year later established a general practice at 33 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., Chestnut Hill. His longtime medical partner and friend was Dr. Edward McGehee, who died in 2012.

In 1980, Dr. Lee was a founding member and board secretary of the Wissahickon Hospice, then in Chestnut Hill, but now on Monument Road in Bala Cynwyd. He continued to support the palliative care facility throughout his career.

A fellow in the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, he served as its president from 1998 to 2000. He also was president of the Aid Association of the Philadelphia County Medical Society.

Active in the community, Dr. Lee served eight years as a member of the board of directors of Chestnut Hill Academy and was its chairman from 1976 to 1978. He also served on the vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, of which he was a member.

A passionate fly fisherman, he pursued the sport in Iceland, Greenland, Argentina, New Zealand, Canada, and as a member of the Pohoqualine Fish Association in McMichael, Monroe County, Pa. He also played golf, traveled extensively with his family and friends, and gardened.

Dr. Lee was a member of the Sunnybrook Golf Club, the Rabbit eating club, and the Ausable Club in Keene Valley, N.Y., where he spent many summers.

Dr. Lee married Caroline T. Lawson of Villanova in 1954. He was known for being pragmatic and reliable, and always there for his family and community.

In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by sons Charles T. 3d and David Upton; and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 8, at Cathedral Hall, Cathedral Village, 600 E. Cathedral Rd., Philadelphia. Burial is private.

Memorial donations may be made to Old Swedes Church, where he will be buried beside his great-grandfather Alfred Lee, the first Episcopal bishop of Delaware. The church's address is 606 N. Church St., Wilmington, Del. 19801.