H. Louie Koester III, 87, of Charleston, South Carolina, passed in peace on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 with his family by his side. A celebration of his life will take place Saturday, June 16, 2018 in St. John’s Lutheran Church, 5 Clifford Street at 1:00 p.m. Burial to follow at Bethany Cemetery, 10 Cunnington Avenue. The family will receive friends Friday, in the J. HENRY STUHR, INC. DOWNTOWN CHAPEL, 232 Calhoun Street from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Louie was born in Charleston on February 19, 1931, the only child of H. Louie Koester, Jr. and Edna Sease Koester. After graduating from the High School of Charleston and earning a B.S. in Business at The Citadel, he served in the U.S. Air Force and Reserves, later retiring as a Captain. Louie developed a solid work ethic at an early age and partnered with his father to manage H.L. Koester & Son Wholesale until the two sold it in 1960. He then started a 29-year career at Citizens and Southern National Bank of S.C., serving first as a Trust Officer, then as Executive Vice President and finally as Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors. Along the way, Louie served in many capacities, including responsibilities related to finance, legal, bank properties, and strategic planning. Louie’s professional education included the Bank Administration Institute at the University of Wisconsin, The National Graduate Trust School at Northwestern University, and The Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. Known for his contributions to the community, Louie’s leadership extended far beyond the world of banking. He served on the boards and was president of the following organizations: The Country Club of Charleston, past president and life member of the Arion Society, and St. John’s Lutheran Church Board of Vestry. He was also on the boards of The Coastal Community Foundation and its investment committee, the Charleston Tourism Commission, The Association for the Blind, Olson Research, Furman University Advisory Board, American Mutual Fire Insurance Company, The Bank Administration Institute, and Ashley Hall School. Those who knew and loved Louie will remember his resolute sense of duty, loyalty, and keen wit. His God and his faith kept him ever resilient. An accomplished athlete, he was a former City of Charleston tennis singles and doubles champion. His great loves were golfing with friends, spending time on his boat, Evergreen, and reading poetry. Louie belonged to The Financial Executives Institute, the Carolina and Charleston Yacht Clubs, and the Charleston Ocean Racing Association. He was a life member of the German Friendly Society. Louie is survived by three daughters: Dr. Merrie Koester of Charleston, SC, Joy Marshall of Charlotte, NC, and Elizabeth Morton of Columbia, SC; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Louie was predeceased by his first wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Lesemann Koester, who passed away in 1990, and by his second wife, Dr. Gene Burges, who passed in 2012. Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 5 Clifford Street, Charleston, SC 29401. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston
Posted in: Post and Courier
Posted on: 2018-06-14
Link to original obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charleston/obituary.aspx?n=h-louie-koester&pid=189288758&fhid=6051