Retired Commander Lee Herman Henderson

Obituary

Retired Commander Lee Herman Henderson, distinguished Navy pilot and navigator, engineer, sailor, educator, and community leader passed away peacefully on May 3, 2026, at the age of 87.  A man of remarkable intellect, courage, and dedication, Lee lived a life defined by service to his country, devotion to family, and a spirit of adventure that carried him across the oceans and skies of the world.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, on September 6, 1938, Lee developed an early passion for engineering, aviation, and exploration. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geophysical Engineering from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, before continuing his education with a Master of Science degree in Engineering Acoustics from the Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

Following graduation from Michigan Tech and completion of Navy Flight Training in 1962, Lee began an extraordinary military career as a Naval Aviator. He served as a pilot, navigator, and Anti-Submarine Warfare mission commander flying P-3 Orion aircraft throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans and the South China Sea during the Vietnam era. His assignments took him around the globe, including Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Japan, Okinawa, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Iceland, Norway, Bermuda, and beyond. Lee became a highly respected airborne navigator and instructor, teaching advanced navigation and ocean physics to replacement pilots and fellow officers.

During his distinguished naval career, Lee also served in undersea surveillance and defense systems management with the Naval Electronic Systems Command at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. His leadership and technical expertise contributed significantly to national defense initiative and advanced oceanic surveillance programs. In recognition of his service, he received the Distinguished Service Medel and numerous military honors. After twenty years of dedicated service, he retired from the United States Navy to pursue a second successful career in engineering and defense technology.

Lee joined Westinghouse, which later became Northrup Grumman where he held senior management positions in advanced undersea systems, surveillance technologies, and oceanic development programs. His work helped pioneer innovations in synthetic aperture sonar, unmanned underwater vehicle sensors, hydrophone technology, and mine detection systems. Colleagues admired him for both his technical brilliance and his ability to inspire those around him.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Lee was an avid sailor whose love for the sea spanned decades. He owned and captained a cruising sailboat and a PDQ catamaran, logging countless nautical miles throughout the Chesapeake Bay, Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Great Lakes, Atlantic Coast, Mississippi River system, Panama Canal, Bermuda, and even transatlantic voyages. He served as organizer and Commodore of the PDQ Catamaran Owners Association and Commodore of the Sailing Association of Marco Island (SAMII).

In 2004, Lee also dedicated many years to the Civil Air Patrol on Marco Island, Florida, where he attained the rank of Lt. Colonel and served as Commander of the Marco Island Squadron. He was named Florida Wing Commander of the year in 2013. He had 12 CAP ribbons and held 21 Emergency Servies specialty qualifications. Under two of his commands, his squadron received Highly Successful for both Florida Wing Subordinate Unit Inspections. He was a Civil Air Patrol pilot who participated in 60 Homeland Security missions, 40 Counterdrug Missions, and was an Incident Commander for missions. Lee displayed exceptional leadership, professional confidence, and devotion to duty in the performance of all his assignments in Emergency Services as Incident Commander, and as Squadron Commander. In 2017, Lee transferred to the Mississippi State Civil Air Patrol. He was also a licensed HAM radio operator and mentor to many aspiring aviators and sailors.

In Mississippi, Lee was active in the community through the Magnolia Classic Cruisers Car Club and the Gulf Coast Studebakers Cruisers Club. In his early 80’s, his brother, Merle, gifted him a 1951 Studebaker Starlight Coupe, which he proudly and completely restored. He also owned a 1964 Dodge Polara 500 convertible that he and his family enjoyed brand new. Lee was also an avid gardener since planting his first garden as a young boy. He was a lifelong lover of nature and especially enjoyed spending time in his yard feeding and watching the birds, squirrels, and even his backyard opossum friends.

Lee took pride in being a founding member of American Legion 404 on Marco Island, Florida. A proud Eagle Scout and former Assistant District Commissioner for the Baltimore Area Boy Scouts, Lee believed deeply in leadership, service, and lifelong learning. He traveled to six continents and navigated both aircraft and yachts across many of the world’s major oceans and waterways.

Lee is preceded in death by Dottie his beloved wife of 60 years, his parents, Andrew and Marion Henderson, and his brother-in-law Harlan Graves. He is survived by his children Beth (Rory) Downey, Sr., Laura (David) Sherman, and David (Kelly) Henderson; his grandchildren Rory (Diana) Downey, Jr., Joseph Hartman, and Briana Sherman; his siblings Merle (Karen) Henderson, Nina Henderson Graves, and Julie (David) Henderson Utschig; along with extended family, loving kitties, and dear friends.

Lee will be laid to rest alongside his devoted wife, Dottie, in Arlington Cemetery with full Military Honors. Donations can be made to: American Legion Post 404 525 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island, FL 34145 and/or St. Alphonsus Church, 502 Jackson Ave., Ocean Springs, MS 39564.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home located at 13872 Lemoyne Blvd., West Jackson County, Biloxi, is honored to serve the Henderson Family in their time of need. Share memories, condolences and stories with them by visiting our website at www.riemannfamily.com