Dick Lee was born in Fredericton, the capital city of New Brunswick, Canada in 1944. He attended secondary school in the Province of Quebec and in 1966 completed a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree with a major in Biology at Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, USA. Immigrating to Australia in 1970 he completed post graduate qualifications in marine science, a teaching diploma and a number of training certificates.

As a consultant in marine and fishing he has developed and managed commercial fishing and seafood operations in the Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea and Australia. As a lecturer, teacher, instructor, and mentor he has learned and taught the skills of handling small and large vessels, both sail and powered.

For over thirty years he has contributed on a regular basis to the trade magazines in marine shipping, commercial fishing and seafood.

As a watch keeping Deck Officer and Ships Diving Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy, Dick experienced the Atlantic and Caribbean waters and worked with the navies of NATO.

As the Commanding Officer of several Australian Naval Reserve ships, including patrol boats and landing craft, he has participated in voyages and activities in the Great Barrier Reef and Pacific Islands.

With a life spent on and in the water, Dick Lee has developed and maintains a deep respect for the marine and freshwater environments and their power and authority as an instructor in the life values important to us all.