Lee Nollau, a Penn State business law professor and State College attorney, died Tuesday morning of a heart attack. He was 54.

A partner at the law firm Nollau and Young, 2153 E. College Ave., Nollau represented local clients throughout his career, including several Penn State students and football players.

"Mr. Nollau was a consummate lawyer," LeDon Young, Nollau's law partner, said. "He was dedicated to the law. He very, very much enjoyed teaching the law to his students. He served as a mentor to many of his students."

Young said that on the morning of his death, Nollau called his office at about 8 a.m. to tell his secretary he did not feel well and was going to the hospital.

Nollau was driving himself to Mount Nittany Medical Center when he pulled his car into the median strip of U.S. Route 322 at about 10 a.m., Young said.

Nollau's sister, Susan Nollau, Penn State business manager for Housing and Food Services, said her brother was found unconscious in his car and could not be resuscitated.

Young said she was told Nollau was not responsive when he arrived at the hospital.

Nollau attended Penn State for three years until he transferred to Juniata College. He received his law degree from the Dickinson School of Law in 1976.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Nollau, and three daughters: Ann, Kate and Margaret.

Ann Nollau graduated from Penn State last year, Kate Nollau is currently a student at Penn State, and Margaret Nollau is currently a senior at State College Area High School.

"As you can imagine, they are very distressed at losing him," Young said.

Kate Nollau said her father was a giving man.

"He put everyone else before himself," she said, crying. "He was always there to help us with our problems, even if he was busy. He was the smartest man I knew; just an all-around great guy."

Kate Nollau said that she has been planning to follow in her father's footsteps.

"I recently just told my mom that I wanted to go to law school. And I was like, 'Don't tell Dad, because if it doesn't work out, and I don't get in, I don't want him to be disappointed,' " she said. "Luckily, she told him, and she said he just smiled, so I knew that made him happy."

Susan Nollau said her brother was the core of the family.

"He truly loved his family," she said. "He was passionate about the law and loved teaching. He enjoyed sports tremendously, especially football."

Young said her business partner was a Penn State football expert and attended all the games.

Young added that Nollau will be greatly missed by family, work associates and students.

"He was a very special man," Young said as she choked back tears. "I'll quote The Wizard of Oz: 'You are not judged by how much you love, but by how much others love you.' "