Challenge
Capture the life of a father and a builder
When the Lee family reached out to Echo, their goal was deeply personal.
Robert (Bob) H. Lee had lived a remarkable life. He had risen from modest beginnings to become one of Vancouver’s most respected entrepreneurs and civic leaders. He was known for his real estate success, his philanthropic work, and his deep devotion to family.
But none of that was written down.
The family didn’t want a tribute filled with accolades. They wanted something human, reflective, and lasting: a portrait of the man behind the public figure.
They also knew that the company he founded, Prospero International Realty Inc., was just one piece of a much bigger story. Even his work on the UBC Properties Trust was only a corner of the picture. The focus needed to be on Bob’s life: his values, decisions, and the relationships that shaped him.
This wasn’t about business first. It was about telling a story his grandchildren could grow up with.
Solution
A memoir built on listening and trust
Echo’s process started at the kitchen table.
We spent time with Bob, listening to the stories he rarely told in public. He spoke about his childhood, his parents, his early work ethic, and the challenges of building something from scratch.
The interviews were intimate, and sometimes emotional. They became the backbone of the book.
To support the narrative, we wove in select milestones from his business and civic life, especially the founding and growth of Prospero. But even there, the focus remained on his character: how he led, how he gave back, and what mattered most to him.
The book design followed suit:
- Archival family photos alongside business milestones
- Elegant, timeless layout choices
- A quiet tone that let Bob’s words lead the way
- Every page reflected the man his family knew, and the values that guided his life.
Result
A personal legacy that became a family treasure
The finished memoir was shared privately with family, friends, and long-time colleagues. It was a gift meant to preserve stories that might otherwise be lost.
For the Lee family, the book became a bridge between generations. It helped younger family members understand the history they come from. And it gave everyone — inside and outside the business — a deeper sense of the man behind the achievements.
Though his place in Vancouver’s businesses firmament is secure, Bob’s legacy lives most vividly in the values captured here: humility, perseverance, and quiet generosity.
The book gave those values a permanent home.
ONE MORE COOL THING...
A line that outlived the book
Throughout the interview process, Bob Lee returned again and again to the importance of community.
He spoke often about loyalty, humility, and the need to give back. Not with slogans. Not for credit. Just as a matter of principle.
The book didn’t need to spell those themes out. The stories carried them forward on their own, and reverberate long after Bob’s passing in 2020.
Want to preserve a life story with meaning, depth, and grace?
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