Robert E. A. Lee

Robert Edward Alexander Lee (November 9, 1921 – February 27, 2009) was the head of the Lutheran Church's film production and producer of Martin Luther and the Oscar-nominated film A Time for Burning.

Biography Lee was born in Spring Grove, Minnesota on November 9, 1921, he was awarded a bachelor's degree in 1942 from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, having majored in music. With experience as a singer and playing the trumpet, he began his career in broadcasting by hosting (and singing on) the show Hymns We Love on the school's radio station. He enlisted in the United States Navy, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service as a pilot in the Pacific theater during World War II.

Despite Lee's efforts, all three major networks declined to air the documentary. It was broadcast on PBS in October 1966, with critic Jack Gould of The New York Times calling the film "the most accomplished and sensitive hour of television this season". Former CBS News president Fred W. Friendly called the film the "best civil rights film ever made." The film was released into theaters and was nominated for an Academy Award as best documentary. It was added to the National Film Registry in 2005 by the Library of Congress. with the comment: "Hailed by Fred Friendly as "the best civil rights film ever made," this documentary by Bill Jersey chronicles the ultimately unsuccessful attempts of a Nebraska Lutheran minister to integrate his church. Contains some of the best observational "fly on the wall" footage ever filmed, filled with incisive scenes showing people struggling with their prejudices, anger, disillusionment, changing social times and hopes for the future."

Lee described the film as "not about the people of Omaha but about all people, and it is not about race relations but about human relations".

Other films With Lutheran Film Associates, Lee was also involved in producing the 1962 film Question 7, directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring Michael Gwynn, about Christians in East Germany. He also worked on the 1980 television film The Joy of Bach starring Brian Blessed.

Death Lee died at age 87 on February 27, 2009 at his home in Baldwin, New York on Long Island, due to cancer. He was survived by four daughters, two sons, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren and two sisters. His wife died in 2000, the couple having been married for 56 years.