Chicago, Illinois
Sep 5, 1927 – Jan 6, 2020 (Age 92)
Lester Calloway Hunt, Jr., father, grandfather, and son of Lester C. Hunt, Sr., governor and senator from Wyoming, died on January 6, 2020 at the age of 92 in his beloved Chicago, Illinois. He was married to Jean Hunt for 58 years before her death in February 2017. As a child of the Great Depression and the son of a New Deal governor and senator, Lester spent his adult life advocating for the rights of working people. He started his career as a community organizer for Saul Alinsky and then became a community college professor teaching labor history to working class students in night school. In later years, he volunteered as a companion to people with AIDS, as a life choice advocate for the Hemlock Society, and as a listener for the Samaritan Suicide Hotline. Lester's two daughters and granddaughters will miss his humor and his perceptive observations about human nature. Some of his most memorable comments were: "You can always adjust up." "Every child needs to have two parents because playing one parent off the other is the most valuable life skill a child can learn." "It's better to die standing than live on your knees." The family asks that in memory of dad you can make a donation to the cause of your choice or to the Hearing Loss Association of America. (https://www.hearingloss.org/make-an-impact/donate/)
I just found this while I was on LinkedIn and tried to message Lester. I met him while attending Daley College and over the years were friends with him and Jean. I moved to Florida 28 years ago and we stayed connected for a while and we visited when I was in Chicago. He was a mentor, good listener, advisor and all and all good person. I am happy I got to know both Lester and Jean.
Irene Giniat Stevenson
September 15, 2021 | Cape Coral, FL | Friend
I met Lester at a men's crochet and knitting group in Chicago. He was a retired academic and I was entering the profession. Lester was so kind and generous with his time. A great listener and a superb storyteller. He was calm and caring. I remember him because he did simple things with high-quality yarn. One day he shared the pattern of a scarf he was working on because I admired the stitch so much. He was a generous man.
The last time I saw Lester was in 2012. I had got my...
Sheldon Bernard Lyke
June 17, 2021 | Chicago, IL | Friend
Rest in Heavenly Peace.
Nicole Hunt
May 19, 2021 | Brooklyn, NY
Sorry to hear about Lester's passing. He was the best teacher at Daley College. Lester & I used to get together occasionally - we'd go to either the Berghoff, Billy Goat Tavern, Exchequer Pub, and some Irish pub that served a great beef stew ! He was always interested to see how I was doing since I had finished with college. Lester was very excited when I told him that I was getting married in New York ! I moved away, and unfortunately, couldn't keep in touch with him much after my wife...
Carl Gorecki
October 21, 2020 | Chicago, IL | Student
Lester was an incredible friend, mentor, guide, fellow adventurer in the realms of the mind and the spirit, and witty raconteur. I am deeply saddened and feel my life diminished by his passing. I'm happy he lived to such a grand old age. He bore his life's cross nobly and with aplomb. Rest in peace, Lester. Your work is done.
Wendall Wilson
February 06, 2020 | Victoria, TX | Coworker
Lester was a dear man and an instant friend after our first meeting. His smile, laugh and positive frame of mind was addictive and uplifting. The world lost a great man but more importantly we were all able to enjoy a great man for 92 years. I'll live with very, very fond memories.
Frank Shannon
January 26, 2020 | Chicago, IL | Friend
Lester was an extremely positive person, always affirming people he spoke with. He described the problems he had teaching at Daley College with students who gravitated to his office, sat on his desk, and shot the breeze with him and presumably other students. How many of his faculty colleagues could complain about the same problems. His students invited him to their family homes or to celebrate some milestone in their lives. It showed the kind of person he was and I, for one, am envious.
Jackie Kirley
January 17, 2020 | Chicago, IL | Friend
My memories of Lester and Jean include the smell of delicious baked goods coming from a warm kitchen. An always lit up smile, a welcoming home, cats, books and a cozy home. The Hunts always made me feel welcome and I will remember Lester and his dry sense of humor. Sending so much love and deepest condolences to the whole family.
Laura Ferguson
January 07, 2020 | Arlington, VA | Friend
Loved from all that new you you are always be in our hearts
Patricia Gomez
January 07, 2020 | Chicagowk, IL | Friend
