Robert A. Lester

Robert (Bob) Allen Lester, age 87, passed away peacefully at his home in Houston,TX on Saturday, December 17, 2022, with his wife, Harriet, by his side. Bob was born on October 25, 1935, the youngest of 7 children. He grew up in Bellevue, a suburb of Pittsburgh. In high school he played football and played the clarinet in the band.

He attended Penn State University and received his B.S. degree in Engineering Science in1957, He graduated from Carnegie Mellon in 1958 with an M.S. in Electrical Engineering. He then began his career at Westinghouse Research in Pittsburgh. While employed there he enrolled in the PhD program at the University of Pittsburgh and earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering in 1967.

His career then took him to Goodyear Aerospace where he immediately joined the Wingfoot Flying Club. He enjoyed flying the family on day trips on weekends and he flew on business trips when possible. He also practiced aerobatics!!!

His career then took him to Houston where he worked for several different oil services companies. He was the inventor and/or co¬inventor of numerous patents. Most notably he conceived of and directed the building of a Segmented Bond Tool for which he received the prestigious Litton Industries Advanced Technology Achievement award.

Following retirement in the late 1990's he focused on improving his tennis game, took up woodworking and metalworking, practiced the piano (self taught as an adult), built a computer, dabbled in writing computer programs, and most importantly played duplicate bridge several (or more) times a week locally and in tournaments nationally. He was an ACBL Silver Life Master. He and Harriet loved to travel nationally and internationally and visited all 7 continents. They enjoyed hiking in our national parks and once trekked in the Nepal Himalaya.

Bob is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Harriet Schneider Lester, son Steven (Lori} of Palo Alto, CA and Fredericksburg, TX, grandchildren Ellen Becktold, M.D. of Chicago and David Lester, M.D. of Richmond, VA, granddaughter Sharon Lester and great granddaughter Shantal, both of New York and close family friend Brandon T. Smith, M.D., as well as by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by son Scott of Houston, daughter Kathleen Levi and grandchildren Alex and Erika Levi of Houston, TX.

Memorial donations may be made to the Houston Area Women's Center (HAWC.org) in memory of daughter Kathy and grandchildren Alexander (age 3) and Erika (age 1) whose senseless and violent murders at the hands of Kathy's husband, Hugo Levi, caused so much heartache.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Lester family.