Ham-Hi Chung Lee

Ham-Hi Chung Lee, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, died April 16, 2025 in Orlando, FL. She was 90 years old. She died of a heart attack due to complications from foot surgery. Ham-Hi was born on December 20, 1934 in Hamhung, Korea.

In the mid-1940s, she and her family escaped to Seoul in the lead-up to the Korean War. A dedicated student, she excelled in academics throughout her life and began teaching elementary school upon graduation from the Teacher’s College of Seoul, eventually working at the Ministry of Finance as a secretary. As her older siblings married and moved out of the household, Ham-Hi contributed greatly to the survival of the family during the post-war rebuilding period. She supported her family financially and helped to raise her three younger sisters. The focus on family would remain a theme throughout her life.

While in Seoul, Ham-Hi met her husband Tuck B. Lee; they were married in 1961 in Ann Arbor, MI, where he attended the University of Michigan. In the early 1970's, they settled in northwest Ohio and founded TL Industries, a company specializing in computer-based process engineering and manufacturing controls. The company developed testing systems and grew steadily through the years, expanding from one employee to over 200 employees by the early 2000s. As her husband’s dedicated partner in the business, she did everything that needed to be done to keep the business going, from soldering circuit boards and ordering parts to providing HR support and managing personnel. With her husband, Ham-Hi traveled the world extensively, including many countries in Europe, the Middle East, Russia, and China. They were enthusiastic golfers in addition to being very active in their church.

After the death of her husband in 2006, Ham-Hi pursued one of her long-neglected passions: dancing. She avidly trained and performed in ballroom dancing for many years, competing in several amateur competitions in Florida. Along with singing, dancing remained a passion throughout her whole life.

Ham-Hi is survived by two children, one son-in-law, one granddaughter, and two sisters. She leaves behind a great many friends and dance partners.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025 at 10:00 am at Woodlawn Cemetery (400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd., Gotha, FL 34734). In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the University of Michigan - College of Engineering, 1221 Beal Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, referencing the Tuck and Ham-Hi Lee Scholarship Fund (Endowment Account #571024)