Frederick Lee was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, January 28, 1888.  His father, William Lee, was secretary-treasurer of the Pennsylvania Conference, and his mother, Lillian, was matron of the Melrose Sanitarium. There was a daughter in the family, Myrna, and another brother, Howard. 

In 1908 Fred graduated from the ministerial course.  The following year he married Minnie Iverson. By November of 1909, they were on their way to China, arriving in Shanghai on November 14.

After a period of language study, the organization sent them to open up work in Anhui Province, at Ying Shang.  They traveled by house boat to get there.

The Republic of China was established in Nanking in 1911.  Fred was there at the time.

In September, 1912, Fred was asked to be the superintendent of Hupeh Mission. He was ordained the following year. In April 1913 the Lees moved again. This time it was to Honan.

In 1919 Fred was asked to be the superintendent of the North China Union with headquarters in Beijing:  The family lived there for five happy years.  During this period Fred held an effort in Beijing. In fact he pitched his gospel tent right in front of the Gate of Heavenly Peace!

Much to Fred’s surprise, he was then called to be the superintendent of Central China Union with headquarters in Hankow.  This was 1925.  The situation was turbulent in this area.  Chiang Kai-Shek was trying to unite the country, and there was much anti-foreign spirit in the provinces--to the extent that the consulates were ordering the citizens to evacuate to Shanghai.

In 1927 Fred was asked to be editor of the Chinese Signs of the Timesin Shanghai. Later he was asked to be director of the Ministerial Association as well as Division Evangelist.  He conducted evangelistic meetings and ministerial training institutes all over China.

In 1935 Fred asked for a permanent return to the United States chiefly due to his wife’s poor health.

For a short period Fred was pastor of the Hollywood Church.  Then it was that he was called to be associate editor of the Review and Heraldin Takoma Park under Elder F. M. Wilcox. Fred continued under F. D. Nichol’s editorship. His load was heavier at that time because Elder Nichol spent a good share of his time working on the Adventist Commentary.

Fred remained at the Review until 1958.  When he did retire at age 70, Fred had given 49 years of denominational service. Upon his retirement, the Lees moved to Calimesa, California where he was active in the local church.

Fred’s wife, Minnie, passed away in 1968 and Fred in 1989.

The Lees had four children:  Anna, Milton, Dorothy (who died in Shanghai of scarlet fever) and Mary Lou.

Frederick Lee married again to Emma Iverson, a cousin to Minnie.