GREEN BAY — Lee Remmel, whose connection to the Green Bay Packers — first as a reporter, and then as a devoted staff member — began when he covered his first game for the Green Bay Press-Gazette in 1945, has died, the team announced Thursday afternoon.
Remmel joined the Packers' front office in 1974 and served as the team's public relations director through 2004, when he became the club's first official historian. He retired from that position in 2007. His death comes almost exactly three years after his wife, Noreen, died in April 2012.
"The Packers lost a cherished family member today," Packers president/CEO Mark Murphy said in a statement. "Lee was a key member of the organization for many years and his knowledge of Packers history was unparalleled. He was a great ambassador and through his public relations work, he helped multiple generations of Packers fans learn more about the team. We extend our sincerest condolences to his family."
Remmel walked the challenging line all public relations staffers must — the one of protecting the organization while also assisting journalists covering the team — effectively, in part because he had once been one of the team's beat writers. He spent nearly 30 years as a sportswriter and columnist for the Green Bay Press-Gazette, and it was reflected in his approach with reporters in his role with the club.
Remmel either covered or worked with every coach in the franchise's history, beginning with founder E.L. 'Curly' Lambeau and Vince Lombardi, whom he covered, and carrying through Mike Holmgren, Ray Rhodes, Mike Sherman and current coach Mike McCarthy. Remmel's final year with the team, 2007, was McCarthy's second season in Green Bay.
"He had a tremendous love for the organization, a tremendous love," former Packers president/CEO Bob Harlan told Packers.com. "Everyone had great respect for his ability as a writer, and certainly if you wanted a quick point in history, there was not a better source than Lee.
"Many times he and I would sit and talk about old, old times -- the Curly Lambeau era and when Vince Lombardi first came to Green Bay. I was always fascinated with the stories he had about those times."
When Lambeau Field was renovated in 2003, the press box was renamed "The Lee Remmel Press Box."
The annual Lee Remmel Sports Awards Banquet, honoring Wisconsin professional, collegiate, amateur and prep athletes, having been held since 1998; it has raised approximately $225,000 for scholarship funds at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, St. Norbert College and area high schools.
Remmel had an especially close relationship with former Packers quarterback Brett Favre, who did a spot-on impersonation of Remmel's signature, "Questions, please" and "Does that do it?" catchphrases to begin and end press conferences.
"He's a Packers icon," Favre said upon Remmel's retirement following the 2007 season. "There will never be another like him. His knowledge of the team and its history has always been impressive. He is sharp as a tack when it came to those things -- truly impressive. He's always had a great sense of humor, too."
Listen to Jason Wilde every weekday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on "Green & Gold Today" on 540 ESPN, and follow him on Twitter at[URL=http://www.twitter.com/jasonjwilde" target="_blank]twitter.com/jasonjwilde[/URL].
Jason Wilde wrote: