Born: 1927
Died: 2012
Married: Diane
Paul Smith's College--Celebrating 75 Years
Inaugural Hall of Fame [Supplement to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, May 2021]
Professor Emeritus Creighton C. Fee (1927-2012) served in the U.S. Army from February 1946 to April 1947 as part of the Army of Occupation, 304 Signal Battalion. 8th Army, Yokohama, Japan. He graduated from the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse in June 1951 with a bachelor's degree in wood technology.
He had been a licensed land surveyor since 1958 and worked as a surveyor on the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway among many other surveying projects. In 1972 he was appointed assistant professor at Paul Smith's College in surveying technology, later promoted to associate professor and finally full professor. He retired as professor emeritus in 1997, after 25 years with Paul Smith's.
He was a charter member of the New York State Association of Professional Land Surveyors, recipient of the NYSAPLS Meritorious Services Award in 1997, and as a token of their appreciation, the alumni of the surveying technology program of Paul Smith's College created the C. C. Fee Alumni Memorial Scholarship. He retired from his land surveying business in December 2009.
Paul Smith's College, The Sequel, Winter 1998
Creighton Fee's Finale
On a snowy Saturday evening this past November, colleagues, friends and former students gathered in Lake Placid to honor retired surveying professor Creighton C. Fee. A behind-the- scenes type of man, Creighton was forced onto center stage during the surprise reception that had been spearheaded by Stacey Allot Annis '78 and organized through the College's Alumni Office.
The young and not-so-young paid tribute to a man who has helped shape the surveying profession itself, along with many careers and even some lives. Guests stepped to the podium to share personal testimonies, war stories about a demanding but fair Professor Fee, and how much more than surveying was taught by this gentle giant during the past 24 years. For example, John D. Bridges '76 sent a note reminiscing about Professor Fee advising the class that before Fee ever bought a new pair of pants, he checked to see if a field book would fit in the back pocket (the sign of a true surveyor).
Alumni spanning the years came to wish Creighton well, with the class of 1990 especially well-represented by a very vocal and articulate group . . . [list of names].
Barbara Marvin presented Creighton with a clock from the Northern New York chapter [of the New York State Association of Professional Land Surveyors], crediting his untiring work and dedication to the education of surveyors. Bob Green gave Professor Fee the NYSAPLS hand-carved surveyor emeritus award for his outstanding work.
Professor Fee humbly accepted the praises throughout the evening, taking the opportunity himself to thank his wife Diane, his colleagues and his former students. The College also wishes to thank and recognize Creighton, for all he has done for his students, for his profession and for Paul Smith's College.
