Bobby Lee was a high school track star (Alamogordo), a two-sport lettermen at UNM, state senator, rancher, chairman of the state Racing Commission, raiser of champion quarter horses, sculptor and painter.
As a student at the University of New Mexico, Lee was a three-year letterman (1952-54) in football. In 1953, he led the team in rushing, punt returns and kickoff returns. Lee ran two punts back for touchdowns that season, which is still a school record. He also won the Skyline Conference 100-yard dash and long jump championship for the track and field team.
The eldest son of a pioneer New Mexico ranching family, Lee served two terms as the president of the New Mexico Horse Breeders Association, as chair of the New Mexico Racing Commission, the New Mexico Quarter Horse Association and the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association. He served as a New Mexico state Senator from 1965-72 and was given the prestigious Award of Distinction from the UNM Alumni Association.
While continuing his activities as a cattle rancher, racehorse breeder, farm owner, family man and public servant, Bobby soon began to explore another interest – art. He started with contemporary western paintings and many of his works soon began to sell throughout the country. His “cowboy art” was featured in many nationally prominent galleries, and in 1979, he won second place in the Saturday Evening Post’s nationwide artists competition.
Bobby Lee passed away in 1993.