Lee Bishop ’60 Honored for Distinguished Service

Bishop, who served as president of the RAA, 2001-2003, has made his professional mark in strategic sealift — the management and operation of ships that transport supplies, food, and medicine to U.S. military deployments around the world. He started as a project engineer in the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp. and is now president of its subsidiary American Overseas Marine Corp.

“While Lee Bishop’s life and work have kept him close to the sea, it is our good fortune that he came this far inland to attend Rensselaer,” said President Shirley Ann Jackson, who presented the award to Bishop.

Bishop’s longtime volunteer service for Rensselaer has included the Alumni Hall of Fame, RAA board of trustees and committees, the Rensselaer Fund, Patroon and leadership gift committees, and support of the Union renovation and Approach restoration. He and his wife, Marge, are members of the Livingston W. Houston ’13 Society of Patroons.

Outside of Rensselaer, Bishop has been a leader in his church and many community organizations, including the historical society and the yacht club in Duxbury, Mass., the Marine Scholarship Foundation, and the American Institute of Merchant Shipping.

In accepting the award, Bishop spoke about the ongoing and continual change at Rensselaer. He acknowledged that the change has been led by President Jackson and supported by the staff and trustees.

“But these changes, no matter how well planned, cannot take place without another force,” said Bishop. That force, he said, is the alumni, who give of their time, their talents, and their financial support.

Bishop was accompanied by his wife, Marge, his son Loren and Loren’s wife, Jean, and his 93-year-old mother, Dorothy.

“We are here to honor a few who give so much,” Bishop said. “As I accept my award, and I accept it humbly, I accept it on behalf of all alumni who give of their time, their talents, and their money.”

Bishop closed his remarks by putting forth a challenge to his fellow volunteers to each go out and find another volunteer for Rensselaer.

“Think how much faster we can make a change for Rensselaer.”

Photo by Stanley Blanchard