Charles F Snyder Funeral Home - Obituaries and Tributes

Joseph Thomas Lester, Jr., devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on November 17, 2009, at age 86 in the Willow Valley Retirement Community. He was born in Jacksonville, FL on January 31, 1923, to parents Joseph Thomas Lester and Florence Wilson Lester, now deceased. Joe had one sister, Mary Alice Lester Poekel, of Essex Fells NJ, who passed away in 2004. He was married to his beloved wife, Margaret "Monni" Sanders Clark Lester (formerly of Cleveland Heights, OH) for 58 years. In addition to his wife Monni, Joe is survived by his four children, Joseph T. Lester, III of Reno, NV, Martha Lester Harris and husband Randolph J. Harris of Lancaster, PA, Mary Lester Zerbe and husband Grant N. Zerbe of Lustre, MT, and Susan Lester Busch and husband Ross M. Busch of Spokane, WA. Joe was a loving grandfather to seven grandchildren, 3 boys and 4 girls, ranging in ages from 10 to 26 years old.

Joe served as an Ensign in the US Navy during WWII and was stationed in Philadelphia. He received a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering in 1944 and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1946 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in Cambridge, MA. Joe worked as a Mechanical Engineer for the DuPont Corporation in Wilmington, DE for 31 years where he pioneered the use of computers in engineering. During his career, he was active in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and served as DuPont's representative to Computer-Aided Manufacturing International (CAM-I). He retired in 1984.

After residing in Wilmington, DE for 46 years, Joe and Monni moved to Lancaster County in 1999 and resided at Willow Valley Retirement Communities. An advocate for technical careers throughout his life, Joe traveled to schools teaching students about the importance of studying science and math.

In 2001, Joe taught math at Lustre Christian High School in Montana where his grandson was inspired to pursue a career in engineering. Clayton James Zerbe, his oldest grandson, is now employed as a civil engineer in Billings, Montana.

From 2003 to 2007, Joe spoke directly to more than 1500 students in 53 classes throughout central PA. In 2007, the Central Pennsylvania Engineers Council honored him with the John H. McCormick Educational Outreach Award in recognition of the outstanding work he did as a retired engineer to inform students about the important work that engineers do. In presenting him with the outreach award, the Committee noted that "Joe helps low income students envision a different future when they are still young enough to make positive choices for the future."

A life-long learner, photographer and lover of American history, Joe and Monni traveled to many historical sites at home and abroad. They were skilled in personal, original re-enactments of the lives of George and Martha Washington and James and Dolly Madison, which they presented to dozens of church and senior groups in Delaware and Pennsylvania over the past 20 years. Joe was also an avid woodworker whose elegant turnings of bowls and candleholders grace the tables of many friends and family members. His specially designed, Swedish-inspired wooden mugs and bowls were commissioned by the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation and are displayed aboard the recreated 17th century Dutch sailing ship, Kalmar Nyckel, harbored near Wilmington, DE.

A dedicated Christian, Joe was active in church throughout his life. He and his wife are members of Lampeter United Methodist Church.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 11am at Lampeter United Methodist Church 1651 Book Rd. Lancaster, PA 17602. Friends and family will be received from 10am to the time of the service at the church. Interment will be private with Military Honors at Willow St. UCC Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Water Street Rescue Mission, 210 S. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 and Lampeter United Methodist Church. Arrangement made by Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Lancaster, PA 717-393-9661. To send the family online condolences please visit snyderfuneralhome.com