Robert J. Lester, of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., peacefully passed away May 7, 2011, at Fort Walton Beach, Fla. He was born Oct. 26, 1933, in Zebulon, N.C., to Paul and Mildred Lester. Survived by his wife of 32 years, Betty Ruth Lester of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; his daughters, Meri Beth Lester and partner, Dave Napier of Hampton, Va., and grandson, Austin Wilson, Laurie Ann Darr and husband, Ron of Broadway, Va., and two grandchildren, Sami Fedorowitz and CJ Fedorowitz; son, Robert Lester Jr. and wife, Sandy of Lennon, Mich., and three grandchildren, Amber, Ryan and Amanda; Sharon Fuentes and husband, Tony of Crestview, Fla., and grandchildren, Joseph and Michael and Jo Ann Motz of Fayetteville, N.C.; sister, Carol Lott and husband, Dan of Granite Bay, Calif. During his three years at Hampton High School, Hampton, Va., he won two state championships in track, held the state record for high jump for many years and graduated in 1952. Bob graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., in 1956 as a Distinguished Military Graduate and was selected for Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges. He was an outstanding track athlete at The Citadel, setting school records that lasted until the early 70’s. After graduation from The Citadel, Bob immediately entered the US Army. During 22 distinguished years, he served in various assignments throughout the United States, Germany, Korea and two tours in Vietnam. He is a graduate of numerous military educational level schools and specialty courses to include the Airborne School and the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. While an ROTC Instructor at the University of Kentucky he was the recipient of the 1964 Outstanding Instructor of the Year in The College of Arts and Sciences. Bob’s Military decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star with “”V”” device, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and the Legion of Merit, the Army’s second highest peacetime award. The Legion of Merit was awarded to Bob for service with the Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe where his work as Director of a Joint Army-Air Force-Navy study group is still considered to be the basis for current Air-Ground Operations and Tactics. Lieutenant Colonel Lester retired in 1978. Upon his retirement, Bob pursued his artistic dream. He became a Graphic Artist teaching and working at Okaloosa-Walton College in Niceville, Florida. Bob won numerous state and national awards for his work in photography and silk screening. He was the designer and driving force behind the development of a Commercial Art Program at the college and served on the College Wide Council that advised the administration. Bob was also successful with an avocation in competitive sailing with his wife Betty, a sport they both loved greatly. Over the years he became a prominent member of the sailing community along the Gulf Coast. He also qualified for and competed in five national level sailing events, was Regatta Chairman and organizer for the most successful one design regatta ever held at Fort Walton Beach, Fla. He has been a one design series champion, a two time one design Class Association Chapter Commodore, a two time Most Improved Sailor Award winner, and Outstanding Sailor of the Year Award winner twice and winner of the prestigious Sportsman of the Year Award at The Fort Walton Yacht Club in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, He also served several times on the Fort Walton Yacht club Board of Directors and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Emerald Coast Sailing Association. On the evening of May 11, his beloved crew with his daughter, Laurie, will sail in honor of his memory aboard the Ambush. On May 13, at 10 a.m. a graveside service with military honors will be held at the Hampton Memorial Gardens, Hampton, Va. For more information please call 757-766-1063. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Save Our Cats and Kittens, SOCKS, P.O. Box 5293, Niceville, FL 32578 or Emerald Coast Sailing Assoc., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548. Tags: 1956
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