Mr. Lee was the owner of a small resort on the nearby Sprague Lake, a popular fishing spot without much else to recommend it, except that its high winds make it popular with sailboarders. Not far down the highway is a bustling tourist lake with hotels, jet ski rentals, tour flights and most appealing to Mr. Lee, a parasailing concession that seemed to make a lot of money.

Early in the spring Mr. Lee acquired a large kite for his new parasailing operation. Since the water was too cold, he decided to test his rig in his parking lot. On a perfect board sailing day, Bob Lee attached the kite to the truck and attached himself to his kite. As soon as he released whatever was keeping him down, he rocketed upwards, turned over 180 degrees and returned immediately to earth.

I think about Bob Lee whenever I return to Spokane from Seattle.

I respect Mr. Lee. Not because he foolishly ended his life, but because he was willing to try something new.

Submitted on 11/16/2005

Submitted by: Terry Sawyer
Reference: Spokesman Review

Copyright © 2005 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: Other
I LOVE this write-up. Such a sentimental tribute to a foolish man! The problem is I cannot find ANYTHING on Mr. Lee in the archives of the Spokesman Review. Therefore, I cannot really vote on this right now. If you can paste a copy of the article describing Mr. Lee's demise below your otherwise brilliant write-up, I may consider this!!

Sheryl said:
Neutral: Other
Thanks for the submission, Terry. There's something about this one that worries me. I can't pin it down - it just feels wrong. I couldn't find an obituary for Bob Lee nor any story relating to him. Is this perhaps a tale told to visitors?

Greg said:
Maybe Toss: Other
There was a very VERY similar story about an Australian hang glider recently submitted. I like the write-up, but I'm just not sure. It might well be Urban Legend ... and if it were true, was he really stupid or unlucky?

Charles said:
Neutral: Other

Jack said:
Maybe Toss: Other
I'm going to have to vote to reject this both because it can't be verified and because there's not enough information to decide if it was an accident or Darwin-grade stupidity.

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