Huckleberries Online

Lee Shellman, GOP Stalwart, RIP

Posted by DFO

Dec. 11, 2009 9:36 a.m. • 12 comments

Huckleberries has learned that former GOP national committeeman Lee Shellman died last night from a massive heart attack. A family member reports that Shellman drove his boat across Hayden Lake at about sunset and called for help from the boat ramp where an unknown bystander stayed with him. Apparently, Shellman regained consciousness a few times. And later died with family members present.

12 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

Bent on December 11 at 9:54 a.m.
DFO, that wasn’t the 44-year-old Lee Shellman was it ???
Bent on December 11 at 10:08 a.m.
Oh the picture answers my question…
bpoole on December 11 at 10:14 a.m.
May the lord be with them.
Lynne on December 11 at 10:26 a.m.
I’ve known Lee since I was a teenager. Wonderful man. I injured my back in an automobile accident in the early 80’s. I didn’t have insurance or money for treatment. He provided physical therapy and refused to accept my offer to make monthly payments. RIP Lee!
JaneQC on December 11 at 10:26 a.m.
Sad news indeed.
Don_Sausser on December 11 at 10:31 a.m.
Very sad. Lee had just moved out of the Lake Tower Apts to reside full time at his Hayden Lake cabin.

Condolences to Becky and his family.
TerryHarris on December 11 at 10:50 a.m.
Our condolences too. Lee was a great advocate for Hayden Lake, and his voice will be missed.
TALKJOC on December 11 at 4:31 p.m.
What a wonderfull man. A tiredless Idaho High School and Vandal booster. He made a difference in the communtiy and will be sorely missed.
MikeK on December 11 at 4:51 p.m.
Four years ago I was re-introduced to Lee Shellman in the midst of a political scrape. He was supporting one of my opponents and took off after me with gusto - ads in the newspaper attacking my residency, phone trees, etc etc, though we really didn’t know one another beyond at most a passing acquaintance.

During the ensuing four years we had occasion to work together on some city business and parks issues, and in light of unfair political attacks on some of our mutual friends, we found ourselves on the same side of the table. I had hoped that his view of me had evolved, as mine had of him. It probably didn’t hurt that he saw me at several Vandal football games (though I’m not an alum) and he figured I couldn’t be all bad.

Late summer of this year he came by my office and told me he supported me in my re-election and apologized for the events of four years ago as he had come to regret his involvement in the opposing campaign. I thanked him and told him an apology was unnecessary - politics is a tough business and that I had buried the hatchet, too. We disagreed in the past but I think he was an honorable man with passion and was open to taking a second look. I respected and appreciated that.

It showed me a lot of character on Lee’s part because I think it took a lot for him to seek me out quietly and privately as he did. It was among the more sincere and encouraging things that have happened to me in local politics.

I wish Lee’s family all the best as they cope. His death is sudden and surprising, and the community will miss Lee’s involvement and energy - regardless of party or political outlook.
LarrySpencer on December 12 at 2:19 p.m.
DFO, since the other thread is the official memorial thread, could I question the truth of Mike’s claims on this one?

Or is it fair for Mike to make ploitical hay from the death of another but not fair for someone defending the reputation of the deceased to question his tale?

I know you are a supporter of Mike, but everybody can see that he is waxing poetic with his claim about how Lee changed and became a fan of Mike, with nothing but his claim that it’s a fact.

Is any thread “safe” or is Mike untouchable now?
DFO on December 12 at 2:29 p.m.
@ Spencer; No one is untouchable. However, you’ve now officially raised the issue. You need to step away from it and focus on your interaction with Lee. Mebbe a story or something to that extent. But you will make this thread toxic if you continue with your accusations. Which I won’t allow. I’ve also deleted a number of comments aimed at you from people who don’t appreciate your accusation.
MamaJD on December 12 at 3:06 p.m.
Larry - Mike’s story is verifiable. It has been known long before Lee Shellman’s death. As with the Kralicek rumor, you should ask around before you accuse a man of lying.

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D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.