Cliff Lester

Herbert Clifford Lester, Jr. died on November 9, 2024 at his home in San Marino, California at the age of 94. He was the oldest of three children, born on February 20, 1930, to Herbert Lester Sr. and Elizabeth Reamy Lester. The family became members of Chester Friends Meeting. Cliff attended the Chester public schools and then went on to Drexel Institute, majoring in chemical engineering. After graduation he participated in an AFSC German work camp for a summer and then joined the Atlantic Richfield/ARCO Company in Philadelphia. He worked with this company for the rest of his career.

Cliff continued his lifelong journey with the American Friends Service Committee at the age of 23 where he served for 2 years as his alternative service in Mexico and El Salvador. In his 60 plus years with the AFSC he served as regional committee clerk, as well as a board member.

Cliff was an active member in the Chester Friends Meeting in Chester, Pennsylvania and then the Orange Grove Friends Meeting in Pasadena, California.

In September, 1957 he married Jean Fuller from Milford, Ohio. They met in Mexico at the AFSC work camp. They had four children, Susan, Jack, Carole, and Jane. He is survived by his wife, Jean and family - Jack and Shaila, their children Anisa and Julia, and Carole and Jane and his adorable white cat tiny twos.

Cliff was a beloved figure at Orange Grove Monthly Meeting. While we understand that it is the Spirit which guides our worship, at such times as we lost our center, Cliff was always there to gently guide us back. His Memorial Meeting was deeply moving to us all.