Gary R Lester Ph.d

Lt. Col. (Ret) Gary R. Lester, Ph.D., passed away quietly in his Albuquerque home on December 15, 2012, after a brief illness, with family at his side. Gary's life was one of insatiable curiosity. A veteran combat pilot, he retired from the Air Force in 1990 after 22 years of service that included two tours in Vietnam and earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal, among other honors. After retiring in 1992, he obtained his doctorate in military history from Florida State University and began a second career as a college professor. He was the author of one book, Mosquitoes to Wolves: The Evolution of the Forward Air Controller, and a devourer of countless others. In 2004, he returned to the Air Force in a civilian role as an official historian, documenting the war in Iraq. Gary was born August 3, 1947 in Bristol, Connecticut, the eldest of two sons born to Robert and Bertha Lester. In high school, he was a competitive swimmer and one-time Olympic hopeful. After graduating from Wichita State University, he followed his father into military service in 1969. He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Penny; his brother, Mark, and sister-in-law Kathy; son, Patrick; daughter, Amy Larson; stepson John and fiancée Missy; stepdaughter Amy DeLoux and husband Danny; and granddaughters Julie and Jill Lester and Alex Larson. A Visitation will take place on December 20, 2012 at 10:00 am with a Memorial Service following at 11:00 am all at Riverside Funeral Home of Albuquerque, 225 San Mateo Blvd. NE. Memorial donations can be made to New Mexico-based dog rescue Lovin' Labs at lovinlabs.com.