WhatTheyThink Mourns Passing of Video Production Director Adam Lee

Monday, May 11, 2015

By WhatTheyThink

WhatTheyThink.com - Friday morning, WhatTheyThink’s Video Production Director Adam Lee died in a tragic accident at the Orlando International Airport. He was traveling to Bogota, Colombia, on vacation ahead of some planned business activity. Adam was a valued member of the WhatTheyThink team who was responsible for WhatTheyThink’s high quality video programs. Although he worked behind the scenes, his patience, professionalism and delightful personality earned him many industry friends at the multitude of events he supported.

“Adam was the quintessential nice guy who had a heart of gold and an adventurous spirit to go with it,” said Eric Vessels, WhatTheyThink President. “He lived life to the fullest, took on every challenge as an opportunity, and was the life of the party. Adam grew to not only be a reliable business partner, taking WhatTheyThink’s video content to ever higher levels, but also a trusted friend. Adam’s last Facebook status was a check-in at the Orlando Airport with his destination city listed as Bogota, Colombia and the caption, “Alright. Let’s do this!!!” That was the spirit he always carried. Adam was ready for what life had to offer, and I’m incredibly saddened that his time with us was cut short.”

“Our heartfelt thanks go out to the print community for the outpouring of support following Adam’s tragic death,” added Adam Dewitz, WhatTheyThink’s COO. “It is a reflection of the huge hole left in all of our lives by his untimely passing. We will miss him greatly, but will always have the incredible memories of our time together and all that he gave to us.”

A consummate professional, Adam graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree, Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, which he put to good use during his all-too-brief career. In addition to his work with WhatTheyThink, Adam also ran his own video production business, Limping Frog Productions, and created several documentaries, his true passion.

“It was an absolute delight to work with Adam during the many video productions at WhatTheyThink,” said Cary Sherburne, Senior Editor. “He made sitting before the camera so easy, and despite my many flubs, the videos were always great. I learned a lot working with Adam, and I will miss him terribly, on both a personal and professional level. He was extremely patient, calm under fire, and always fun to be around. My heart goes out to his family, losing him at such a young age, and to his many friends around the globe. The world will not be the same without Adam Lee to brighten it.”

The WhatTheyThink team has decided to establish a memorial scholarship to help students pursuing a career in film and video production at the University of Central Florida. We will have more information on this once established, but anyone interested in this effort please email Adam Dewitz at [email protected].

WhatTheyThink.com - Friday morning, WhatTheyThink’s Video Production Director Adam Lee died in a tragic accident at the...
Posted by WhatTheyThink on Sunday, May 10, 2015

Discussion

By Marco Boer on May 11, 2015

Eric, Adam, Cary,

I am at a loss for words. Adam was part of our greater industry family, a calming influence for so many of us. Our deepest condolences, he will be sorely missed.

Marco

By Randy Davidson on May 11, 2015

Shared so many good times with Adam after being introduced to him by his father in 2010. So laid back, so full of life, always positive, always planning for his next adventure. I will always admire him for the role he played in my life. Rest in peace Adam.

By Eric Vessels on May 11, 2015

@Marco I've been at a loss since Friday morning when I got the call. Losses like these leave you rudderless and adrift for a while. So glad to have the support of an amazing industry and friends who get the impact Adam had while here. Thanks for your words.

@Randy Not bad for a chance meeting with his dad at Oce way back, huh?

By Hans Gut on May 11, 2015

Dear Eric, Adam, and Cary,

I am so sorry to hear this tragic sad news.
I got to know Adam first together with Cary producing the reporting from Hunkeler Innovationdays 2011 in Lucerne.
A great person to be around and always fun to work with.
Our deepest condolences, he will be missed.

Hans Gut, Hunkeler AG

By Patrick Henry on May 11, 2015

Words fail whenever a loss this awful occurs. Adam was a consummate professional and an enormous asset to WhatTheyThink. I was so terribly saddened to learn of what befell him in Orlando. Rest in peace.

By Mark Michelson on May 11, 2015

Adam was a good man. My condolences to his family and to all of his associates and friends at WTT.

By Eric Vessels on May 11, 2015

Thanks Mark. I'll never forget the look on his face when he came out of the bathroom and I had no shirt on at the bar in the DC Gaylord. "Wait...what??" So many great stories. Appreciate your thoughts.

By Mark Hunt on May 11, 2015

We had the pleasure of working with Adam "Video Dude" Lee on a few occasions, and were always impressed with his professionalism, warmth and positive approach. Rest in peace, and condolences to his loved ones.

By Keith Hevenor on May 11, 2015

What a terrible loss for all of you at WTT and for the industry. I only met Adam a few times, but always enjoyed his easy-going presence and can-do attitude. He will be missed by all.

By Deborah Papineau on May 11, 2015

I'm still trying to process this and am at a loss for words. I am honored to have had the pleasure of working with Adam. He was such a gentle, kind, funny guy who was taken tragically and far too young from us all. It is not surprising that he had friends all over the world. My prayers go out to his family. I will miss him greatly.

By Jane Mugford on May 11, 2015

I'm still completely shocked since hearing this news on Friday. Adam was always so kind, funny and patient when shooting video. He had a way of making you forget the lights and the camera. The WTT video booths will not be the same without him.

By Kristi Hubert on May 11, 2015

Oh, wow. Adam was so great and so easy to work with...as is your whole team. So sorry, friends.

By David Murphy on May 11, 2015

This is such a tragic loss. Adam was a genuinely kind, good-hearted man who brought a smile with him everywhere and passed it along to those around him. Adam was a guy people couldn't help but like and trust. He will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

By Craig Kevghas on May 11, 2015

Adam was a blessing to so many and I'm glad to have worked with him at the many industry events. I'm still shocked at his passing. May God bless his family and friends, and all that loved him. I'm sure he's shooting Heaven right now and trying to figure out how to get it back to WTT. He will live on in our hearts.

By Micelle Grey on May 11, 2015

Sincere Condolences to the family and close ones.
Adam will be missed badly, I always loved all his work
Michelle

By Amy Machado on May 11, 2015

I'm so sorry for your loss. Adam was such a sweet person. Death is never easy, but especially hard when it comes unexpectedly and to someone so young. My thoughts are with his family and his colleagues who clearly loved him.

By Sarah Markfield on May 11, 2015

My sweet friend I am so sad by his untimely death. To all who he touched with his warm smile and gentle personality, my condolences. He will be missed, but he lives on in our hearts.

By David Lindsay on May 11, 2015

Adam was always wonderful to work with and – as his history of video work on WhatTheyThink.com proves – he was a tremendous asset to our industry. This is a sad loss that many of us are still trying to process. Prayers and condolences to his family and colleagues.

By John Foley on May 11, 2015

I'm totally bummed. A friend that connected with all. Adam Lee to me when we would see each other "What kind of beer we having tonight?" I'm sorry to hear this as you know. My thoughts are with all of you and his family and friends.
I'll miss him. Another great guy gone much to early.

By David L. Zwang on May 12, 2015

What a sweet wonderful man, like a big Teddy Bear. Really enjoyed knowing and working with him over the years. Left us too soon... will miss him.

By Warren Werbitt on May 15, 2015

To all my friends at WTT and Adam's family,
My sincere condolences. I just heard the tragic news and my heart goes out to all. I'm in a little bit of shock, It wasn't long ago I was sitting with Adam L & Adam D in Madrid on a roof top bar having a few drinks and laughing out loud, talking about anything and everything.
That's the Adam I will remember!!!
You left us way to early my friend....RIP

By Bob Neubauer on May 15, 2015

So very sad to hear this news. I only met him a couple times but he was a really nice guy.