CMSGT, USAF Ret. Eugene Maxwell Lester

1923 - 2017

CMSGT, USAF, RET. EUGENE MAXWELL LESTER
March 14, 1923 - June 22, 2017
"My life on this earth ended peacefully with my beloved family by my side on June 22, 2017 after a long fought battle with Congestive Heart Failure.
I was born Eugene Maxwell Lester, better known as "Just Max" in Springfield, Maine to Orlando and Mildred Lester on March 14, 1923.
In my early childhood, my father took a teaching position in Colebrook, New Hampshire, a stones-throw away from the Canadian border. Mother endured the long frigid winter with the snow piling up beyond measure. But for me, it was a winter wonderland – sledding, snowball fights, skiing, skating – and hoping and praying for more of the white stuff to grace our winter playground.
Our next move was to the small town of Northwood, New Hampshire, a few degrees warmer, where Dad taught biology, agriculture and athletics. It was there that I met a spunky, fun-loving redhead, Suzanne Rowell, who quickly charmed me into doing her Math homework for $1 a page.
The Word War II storms were brewing. After graduating with honors in the class of 1941 at Coe-Brown Academy, my best friend, Sonny Gates and I answered the patriotic call and enlisted in the Army Air Core. At 18, I found myself on a naval ship slowly bound for my assignment to India, China, and Burma. These were dangerous and exciting times but my love for airplanes helped me endure the years there.
My next assignment was Stateside! The storm clouds were darkening. I was bound for an assignment to the pacific. The Atom Bomb was in the making. The Redhead and I decided that this was the perfect time to get married. So on March 22, 1944, we set the course of married life.
The next years would fill a volume – never a dull moment raising five children, moving every 2-3 years, which was common in military circles. Our travels would take us to Japan, Europe, Korea and a crisscross pattern from New England to California and points in between, eventually settling in beautiful Boise, Idaho.
I do not regret having spent the bulk of my working years in the United States Air Force in the field of aviation. My travels took me to five continents and through 3 wars – World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. I have seen and experienced many different ways of life. The hundreds of hours in the air have not diminished my love for flying. It truly has been a good life. I suppose the need for airplanes in heaven does not exist, but if the Lord should decide to have an Air Force, I would be the first to enlist."
Max's creative enjoyments were photography and woodworking. His slide and photo collection will give us pleasure for years to come. He built several pieces of furniture and country styled folk pieces that he and Suzanne sold in their crafting business along with beautifully dressed teddy bears created by Suzanne.
Max was preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers, as well as his 2 eldest sons, Terry Lester and Karl Lester. He is survived by his wife Suzanne, his sister Katherine, and his 3 remaining children, Steven Lester and wife Linda, Nancy Kelly and husband Stanton Kelly, their children, Benjamin Kelly and Ashley Kelly; David Lester and wife Judi, their children Daniel Weaver Lester, Breann Kolsen, Jasmin Lester, Marissa Lester, and Alexa Lester; Terry's wife Susan Westley and his daughter Theresa Lester and Karl's children, Zacharia and Zarah Lester, Noell Rideout, as well as Max's nieces and nephews, Katherine Atwood D'Astous, Barbara Lester, Dean and Darrin Lester, Robert and Gary Tasker, Scott, Bruce and David Denis.
As a believer in Jesus, Max took comfort in the words of the Bible. One of his favorite passages is John 14:1-3 "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also."