Lester Hildebrand

Lester was born April 5, 1930 in West Liberty Iowa, the son of Guy Hildebrand and Harriet Arnold. Lester grew up on a farm with seven siblings. As a young boy Lester was fascinated with airplanes. One day he had the ride of his life. From that day forward his geared his life toward flying. After graduating from high school in 1948 he attended a trade school learning airplane maintenance. In Sept. 1950, Lester enlisted in the Navy, stationed in French Morocco. During his service years his job was aircraft mechanics. He returned to civilian life in 1954 and hired on at American Airlines in Tulsa, OK. This is where he met and married Patricia Carter on July 1, 1955. After accepting a job with TWA as a Flight Officer, Lester and Pat moved from Tulsa to Kansas City, in 1956. This is where they spent their years raising two children.

After retiring from TWA in May 1986, he and his wife Pat lived the winters in Florida. Then in July 2005 they made their final home in Arkansas. His love of flying took him down another path of building his own. Over the years Lester built and owned four aircrafts. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (E.A.A.). Attending air shows with his aircrafts and also as a crew member with the Connie gave him much pleasure. He enjoyed giving rides to family, friends, along with young people that were flying enthusiast. He enjoyed his air plane projects and his interest in flying never ended.

Lester was a man of great passions. Passions about life. Passions about his family. He got to fulfill all his dreams; flying and seeing the world, traveling in his motor home, fishing, hunting, and especially spending time with family and friends. His eyes sparkled and his laugh was infections. He was always on the ready with a quick joke or funny comment. He loved life and he loved the people in his life.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia of the home; daughter and son-in-law, Tonya and Mark Overmyer of Kansas City, MO; son and daughter-in-law, Jon and Alice Hildebrand of Harrisonville, MO; sister, Dorothy Phelps of West Liberty, IA, two grand children, seven great-grand children and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lester was a devoted husband, father, and friend. He lived his Life in Christ. He will be missed and loved by many people. But he lives on in the laugh of a son or the wistful dreams of a daughter. These are the people that grieve his loss but are so grateful for his life.

Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah Terrace Park Funeral Home; 801 N.W. 108th Street; Kansas City, MO. (816) 734-5500