Robert Lee Dunham, age 78, died on May 17, 2011 at the New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. He was President and CEO of TCB Management Corporation. In 1972, Lee Dunham made history by opening the first McDonald’s restaurant in the City of New York. A pioneer in McDonald’s, he was a multiple store Owner with restaurants located in New York and New Jersey. Lee prided himself in running outstanding restaurants, giving back to the community and in creating opportunities for others.
In business, Lee fought tirelessly on behalf of minorities and through his efforts, he successfully helped others to acquire franchises and to become suppliers. With the over 500 employees in his organization, he made their training and development a priority. In his first store, located in the middle of Harlem, Lee spoke openly with gang members, challenging them to rebuild their lives. Then he did what some might say was unthinkable: he hired gang members and put them to work. Lee improved working conditions and once a week he offered his employees classes in customer service and management. He encouraged them to develop personal and professional goals.
A former New York City policeman, Lee Dunham truly believed in giving back to the community and won numerous awards for his business, community and civic involvement. Some of these awards include NAACP Roy Wilkens Humanitarian Award – New York Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Merit Award, US Department of Commerce- MBDA Region II – Harlem Businessman of the Year, New York Urban League – Building Brick Award, and several McDonald’s Corporation awards including USA President’s Award, Ronald Award, and the Golden Arch Award. He was Chairman of the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association from 1982-1986 and at the time of his passing was its Chairman Emeritus.
Lee Dunham was born in Kannapolis, North Carolina on September 12, 1932 and moved to Brooklyn, New York at an early age. After completing high school he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Upon returning to Brooklyn, he joined the New York City Police Department in the motorcycle division. Lee is survived by his wife Linda, who is also a McDonald’s Owner/Operator and his two sons.
A viewing will be held Monday, May 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York, NY. Funeral will immediately follow at 11 a.m. and will be officiated by Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts, III. Services by Benta’s Funeral Home in New York, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made in his memory to either the Robert Lee Dunham Abyssinian Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, 132 Odell Clark Place, New York, NY 10030 or RMHC of NY Tri-State Area- African American Future Achievers Scholarship Fund, 105 Eisenhower Parkway, Roseland, NJ 07068.
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To Linda and family:
Lee will always have a special place in our hearts. We loved him like family. He taught us how to be a better person and the true meaning of being a loyal friend.
We loved you, not for what you had but for the kind of person you were. You led by example and we’ll always remember the good times we had together
You will certainly be missed.
Love Rod, Chad, Margo and family
To Linda and her family,
Lee was a true hero. Each day he made a difference. With in the McDonald’s Supplier community, Lee always listened to ideas and supported making the system a better place. Each time I saw him speak or had the opportunity to garner his thoughts one on one, it was always about helping the system grow and never about himself.
With Respect and Prayers,
Laura Maniatis
It was a great honor to have work for you Mr Dunham. with pride i say that you will me missed and will always have a place in my heart, the good that you did for others was exceptional.
The calm and peace that surrounded you is just a sign of Gods work and we were just fortunate to be next to you.
I will forever remember you, Boss.
Danny Rodriguez.
I met Me Lee back in 1974 in which he had help the people in the area Thank you Lee for being there
I worked with Lee when we were both cops in Motorcycle #2 in Bklyn. I found him to be both a gentleman and friend. Glad to see that he found sucess. May he rest in peace. God bless you.
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Linda my codolences on the death of your Husband….He will know rise up into heaven and see PJ his old friend …What memories I have of the two of them together over the years…Lee did a great deal with those Hamburgers!
Robert Williams, Jr
To Linda and family, this is your old Chemical friend, Robert Williams, Jr.. I just want to say how heavy it made my heart feel when I found out about the passing of your husband, Lee. I have never forgotten about my friends and will always carry a special place in my heart for you and your family. My you find comfort in knowing that God is our deliverer.
Dear Linda,
I know it is late, but I only heard from Reggie Webb recently that Lee had passed on.
I met Lee only three times, but I can clearly remember how his enthusiasm rubbed off on everyone around him. He was a very great man and his legacy will live on in McDonald’s for a long time to come.
Please accept our sincerest condolences (albeit rather late). God bless Lee and all of you.
Sincerely, Hans Hahne, EFLG and franchisee in Bonn Germany
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