Kevin Michael Lee, 62, of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away on April 14th, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be Friday, June 20th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Morrill Hall on the UNL campus.
Born in Bay City, Michigan, on April 9, 1963, Kevin graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science in Physics from Central Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. For over 20 years, he worked as a Research Associate Professor at UNL in the Physics and Astronomy department as well as for the Center for Science, Mathematics, and Computer Education.
Throughout his time in academia, Kevin contributed significantly to his field, developing instructional technologies, producing a library of astronomy demonstration videos and interactive computer simulations used by high school and college teachers in classrooms worldwide. He received the national Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Physics Teaching by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) in 2012 and their Citation for Distinguished Service in 2016.
Kevin is survived by his wife, Laurie; daughter Meredith (Natalie) and son Jonathan; brother Jeff (Paula) and sister Stephanie (Dennis); father Kenneth; and grandson Emerson. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rosemary. He will be remembered for his deep appreciation for music, love of playing the piano, and fondness for Star Trek and Michigan sports.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the UNL Astronomy Education Support Fund. Donations will help carry forth Kevin’s mission to improve and expand access to astronomy education.
