We mourn the loss of Lee Rainwater
January 7, 1928 – July 4, 2015
It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Lee Rainwater, on July 4, 2015. Lee co-founded LIS in 1983 and – with his beloved friend and colleague Tim Smeeding – advised and guided LIS for over two decades, until his retirement in 2005.
Lee was a courageous and innovative sociologist, and a generous and patient teacher. Although he was extremely modest – famously so – he often spoke in his later years of how proud he was of LIS, frequently saying that building LIS was his greatest accomplishment. He was a mentor to many of us, and his pride in LIS lifts us up during this sad time. We send our condolences to Lee’s wife Carol, who will always remain a member of the LIS family, and to his daughter Katherine and son Jon.
A fuller tribute will follow.
In the meantime, we invite you to remember Lee here, as he helps to tell the story of “LIS, the early years”.
Janet Gornick
LIS Director