Lester Charles Hackner

Hackner, Lester Charles age 85, of St. Paul. Lester attended Johnson High School, and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1951. He worked for 37 years as a pharmacist at Gray's Drug where he was a co-owner since 1976. Gray's Campus Drug under Lester was an institution in Dinkytown with its pharmacy and grill serving as home to thousands including Bob Dylan who lived upstairs. Lester was a member of the Minnesota State Pharmaceutical Association and Past President of the Minnesota Pharmacy Alumni Society. Lester served 4 years as a member of the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy including serving as Vice President. He was a member of the Century Mortar Club, serving on the Board of Directors and a member of the National Association of Retail Druggists, a member of the American Pharmaceutical Association, Phi Delta Chi, Jewish War Veterans and a Member of Temple of Aaron Synagogue. Lester was preceded in death by parents, Leah and Israel Hackner, sister Carrol and brother-in-law, Sonny Zukerman, brother Irwin, nephew Marc Polikoff and grandniece, Amy Harer. He is survived by his nieces Nancy Polikoff, Ilene (Jay) Goldberg, Bennett (Mona) Hackner, Gayle Hackner, Leah (John) Nemzeh and Ira (Denise) Hackner, and grand-nieces and nephews Teri (Todd) Brown, Chad (Jamie) Goldberg, Adam Goldberg, and Lawrence Harer, as well as great-nieces and nephews, Sam and Abby Harer, Jacob and Lindsey Brown, and Peter Goldberg. Lester's family wants to thank all the Doctors, nurses and staff at Abbott Northwestern Hospital for their wonderful care, compassion and understanding during the final weeks of his life. Special thanks to Dr. Ronald Kaufman, Dr. David Fine and Susan at Home Instead. Funeral service 10:30 am FRIDAY at the TEMPLE OF AARON SYNAGOGUE, 616 So. Mississippi River Blvd., St. Paul. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Century Mortar Club at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 or donor's favorite charity. SHIVA, 7 pm Saturday at Sholom Home East, 740 Kay Ave., St. Paul 55102. Hodroff-Epstein 651-698-8311 www.hodroffepstein.com
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.