David Bierly Lee, 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, PA, on Sunday, August 18, 2024.
Born on June 15, 1937, in Phillipsburg, Dave was the middle son of Eugene Fitzhugh Lee and Elizabeth Bierly Lee. Along with his brothers Donald and Dick, they were widely known as the mischievous “Lee Boys.” On July 25, 1964, he married Joyce Carole Williams of Greensburg, who survives.
A lifelong resident of State College, David leaves behind a devoted family who will deeply miss him – two children, Matthew D. Lee and his wife Elinor R. Haider of Philadelphia, and Amanda Lee Ivory and her husband Ralph C. Ivory of Wayne; his brother, Dr. Richard J. Lee of Buffalo, NY; and five grandchildren, Christopher J. Ivory, Campbell D. Lee, Ross N. Lee, David R. Ivory, and Nolan S. Lee. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his daughter, Allison Elizabeth Lee, and his older brother Donald E. Lee.
Dave graduated from State College Area High School in 1955, where he lettered in track and football. As a senior, he ran in the famed Penn Relays, a performance that was captured by a photographer and published in the May 1955 issue of Sports Illustrated. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Lycoming College in 1961. Following college, he returned home to State College to manage his family-owned business, Centre Hardware.
He later followed his father Gene into the banking business, joining Peoples National Bank as an assistant cashier and branch manager in 1964. He spent his entire career working at the bank, holding a variety of positions, and was named chief executive officer in 1977. He was a consummate community banker who prided himself on personal service and close relationships with customers. He believed a person’s character and was more important than just a loan application. In 1986, he was named chairman and CEO of the bank’s newly-formed holding company, Omega Financial Corporation. He retired in 2005 after more than 40 years of service to a banking institution that grew from $13 million to $2 billion in assets during his career.
During his banking career, Dave served in a variety of leadership positions with the American Bankers Association, the Pennsylvania Bankers Association, and the Independent Bankers Association of Pennsylvania. He was especially proud to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.
Raised in the College Heights neighborhood, Dave seemed to know everyone in and around State College, and was affectionately known by many as “Sacky.” As a young man, he loved to “loaf” at Hoy Brothers on College Avenue. Later in life he enjoyed long Sunday brunches at the Autoport where he could catch up on the local happenings, much to the dismay of his impatient children. With deep family roots in Rebersburg and Spring Mills, he possessed a keen knowledge of Centre County history and especially the quirky nicknames of those with whom he grew up. Dave believed in treating everyone with kindness and respect and as a result, forged countless lifelong friendships and relationships.
In keeping with his calling as a hometown banker, Dave strongly believed in the importance of service to his community. He was a member of the boards of many local organizations, including the former Centre Community Hospital, State College Downtown Improvement District, and Centre County United Way. Dave was particularly drawn to organizations that provide assistance to the disabled and elderly, and he served on the boards of the Centre County Chapter of the Pennsylvania ARC, Brockerhoff House, and the Centre County Housing Authority. He was also a member of the board of trustees of his alma mater, Lycoming College. In 1997, he was the Penn State Renaissance Fund’s annual honoree, an award that was bestowed on his father Gene a decade earlier. He was a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church and regularly served as an usher at Sunday services.
Dave was an avid golfer and one of the longest tenured members of Centre Hills Country Club. An outdoors enthusiast, he was a member of the Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club; Mountain Acres; and the Laurel Run Hunting Camp. Truth be told, however, he far more enjoyed the social aspects of hunting than the actual hunting itself. Dave loved dogs, and throughout his life took great care of family pets Misty, Samantha, Bailey, and Lily. Watching deer and other wildlife roam over his freshly-mowed lawn was one of Dave’s most treasured daily experiences.
Dave was a devoted spouse to his wife, Joyce, and they recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. In retirement, Dave and Joyce took tremendous joy in their second home at Seabrook Island, South Carolina, where they spent many winters and particularly enjoyed walking their dog on the beach and hosting an annual extended family gathering each August. Late in life, Dave became Joyce’s primary caretaker, and selflessly did everything in his power to make sure that they could live out their lives together in their State College home.
He was a dedicated father to his two children, and was extremely proud of the paths they each chose, with Matt following Dave’s older brother Don into the legal profession, and Amanda following her mother into a career as an educator. Dave and Amanda spoke by phone on a daily basis, ensuring they were both were up to date on all things, family or otherwise.
Dave’s greatest joy in life was his five grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Poppa.” He cherished the time he spent with them in State College and at Seabrook Island, and was immensely proud of watching them grow and mature into fine young men. And he would have no doubt wanted to conclude this remembrance by using the same words he used every time he bid his grandsons farewell: “see you again, boys!”
Visitation will be on Tuesday, August 27, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College.
A Memorial Service celebrating Dave’s life will occur at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 28, at Grace Lutheran Church, 205 South Garner Street, State College, officiated by Pastor Carolyn K. Hetrick.
Burial will follow the service at St. Peter’s Lutheran and Reformed Cemetery, Rebersburg. Afterward, friends and family are invited to continue sharing memories of Dave at a luncheon held at Centre Hills Country Club, 153 Country Club Road, State College, PA 16801.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of Joyce W. Lee (www.alz.org) or the State College Food Bank (www.scfoodbank.org).
Online condolences and memories of Dave may be offered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.