Stuart Lefstein

Stuart Lefstein

January 7, 1934 - December 26, 2020

Rock Island - Stuart Lefstein, 86, of Rock Island, died from complications of COVID-19 on Saturday, December 26, 2020 at his home surrounded by his family. All in-person services will be private due to the ongoing pandemic. A live-stream funeral may be viewed at 11 am Tuesday, December 29, 2020 by visiting www.wheelanpressly.com/live-stream. Burial will take place at Hebrew Cemetery, Rock Island. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Congregation Beth Israel at the Tri-City Jewish Center, Rock Island, The Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities or your favorite charity. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island, is assisting the family.

Stuart was born in Rock Island, Illinois on January 7, 1934, the oldest son of George and Rose Minkin Lefstein. He married his college sweetheart, Esther Urdangen, on August 5, 1956. She preceded him in death in 2013.

Stuart grew up in Rock Island and graduated from Rock Island High School, Augustana College, and the University of Michigan Law School.

Stuart began his legal career as an Assistant Rock Island County State's Attorney. From 1959 through 1964 he was a partner in the Rock Island law firm of Ferguson and Lefstein. Stuart spent the next 35 years as a partner in the Rock Island law firm of Katz, McAndrews, Balch, Lefstein and Fieweger. From 2000 to 2017, Stuart was Counsel to the firm of Pappas, Davidson, O'Connor and Fildes. The highlight of his career was successfully arguing a patent law case before the United States Supreme Court in 1987.

Stuart was an elected Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Review Board member of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Illinois Supreme Court, and Chair of the Illinois Supreme Court's Third District Committee on Character and Fitness Committee for Bar Admissions.

Stuart was a member of the Black Hawk College Board of Trustees, The Mayor's Advisory Committee to the Rock Island Human Rights Commission, and Chair of the City of Rock Island Ethics Commission. In 1994, Stuart was honored by the Junior Board of Rock Island as Mardi Gras King. In 2007, he was inducted into the Rock Island Education Foundation's initial class of "Legends" of Rock Island High School.

In his spare time, Stuart enjoyed a good game of tennis, vacationing in Palm Desert, California, and being with his beloved grandchildren.

Stuart's family is deeply grateful to all of his caregivers, including Joni, Alexis and Miah Lopez, and Karen Pratt, whose wonderful care allowed Stuart to remain in his home during his final years.

Those left to cherish Stuart's memory include daughters Lori Lefstein (Michael Diamond) of Rock Island and Mindy (Larry) Herskovitz of Northbrook, Illinois, and grandchildren Paul Herskovitz, Jamie Herskovitz (Austin Natkin), and Sarah Diamond, all of Chicago. Stuart was preceded in death by his parents, wife Esther, and brother Norman Lefstein.

Online condolences, memories and expression of sympathy may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com.