Robert Lester was born March 16, 1930 to Robert and Jeanette Lester in San Antonio, Texas. With his father in the U.S. Army, the family moved often. They lived in Panama, Brooklyn and New Jersey. He graduated from high school in Silverton, Oregon in 1948. He attended the Lutheran Bible Institute where he met Jeanette Byberg . They were married in 1952. He graduated from Pacific Lutheran College in 1954 and from Luther Theological Seminary in 1958.
Bob and Jeanette served congregations in Leonard, North Dakota, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Seattle, Renton, and Ritzville, Washington. He retired in 1995 and moved to Olympia, Washington. He served as a part time visitation pastor and taught adult Sunday school at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for 10 years.
Bob enjoyed books, cars, go-karts, trains, planes, sports and reptiles. Mostly he loved his family and our Savior Jesus Christ who died for us all.
He passed away peacefully at home on May 2, 2025
He is survived by his children, Jan vanLieshout (Edgar), Bob Lester (Susan), Mark Lester (Laura) and Joel Lester (Debbie). He had 13 grandchildren and 13 great
grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on May 31 2025 at 1:00PM.
