Neil Jess Lee, 80, was called by God to Heaven on September 25, 2018 to settle a couple of boundary disputes. Licensed as one of the youngest Illinois land surveyors, Neil was proud to follow in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. He worked from the age of sixteen until 1975 with friend and mentor, Bob Allen. When Bob retired, Neil became owner of R. E. Allen & Associates, Professional Land Surveyors LLC, in Grayslake, IL, His 50+ year land surveying career ranged from measuring every distance by chain to the use of electronic devices linked to computers which eliminated the need to draw plats by hand. Neil never forgot where he placed or found a property corner in Lake County, and he often fielded calls from stymied surveyors seeking his wide-ranging knowledge and infallible memory.
Neil was born June 28, 1938 in Merrill, WI to Jess Neil Lee and Laura (Werner) Lee, parents of his siblings Wayne (Penni) Lee, Phyl (Bill) Krieger and Sherry (Chuck) Sasse. He graduated in 1956 from North Chicago High School. Neil met the love of his life, Eve (Palenske), when he surveyed the first farm that she sold. Neil and Eve married in 1970 and shared nearly fifty years together. Neil was blessed with four children: daughter Kathy (James) Johnson, and sons Jeff (Deborah), Bryan (Jeanine) and Justin. Ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren call Neil Grandpa: Michael, Trevor, Tyler, Tiffany, Jack, Abby, Patrick, Connor, Tristah, Paetyn, Zoey and Camden. Neil now surveys the earthly scene by transit to check on his 31-year old Appaloosa, Sir Celebrity, his beloved 22-year old cat, Isis, his Papillion, Dakota and guardian Corgi, Charity.
Actively weekend farming their 225-acre farm in Merrill, WI was Neil’s great pleasure and the first timber cutting from 36,000 trees he planted was harvested this year. Neil metal detected for nuggets in the Arizona desert, finding instead a winter place for their “golden” years at the Voyager RV Resort in Tucson. He was a superb photographer and loved Friday shoots with the Voyager Photo Club, and Thursday breakfasts with the boys.
Neil’s family looks forward to greeting friends at the Strang Funeral Home at 410 E. Belvidere in Grayslake on Friday, October 5 from 4 to 8 pm. All are invited to a celebration of Neil’s life at 27135 W. Wilmot Road, Antioch, IL on Saturday, October 6 at 3 pm. Neil’s ashes will be placed in the family plot in Gleason, WI with a graveside farewell at 11 am on Monday, October 8. Gifts in Neil’s memory may be made to the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors’ Scholarship Fund, IPLSA, 100 E. Washington Street, Springfield, IL, 62701.