Robert Kester

Robert "Bob" Kester passed away of natural causes on September 9, 2024.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years and the love of his life, Sarah "Sally" Kester (Schultze); his Father Harry F. Kester, and his Mother Anna C. Kester (Hickey) of Niagara Falls, New York.

Robert is survived by his son, Patrick E. Kester of Florence, daughter Catherine H. Jackson (Kester) of Columbia Falls, daughter Susan E. Sherry (Kester) of Missoula, his brother Kenneth E. Kester of Westminster, Colorado, and his sister Carol A. Crowley (Kester), of Grand Island, New York. Robert is also survived by five grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and extended family members John Maki and Kelly Jo Crum (Madsen), both of Missoula.

Robert was born January 17, 1939 in Niagara Falls, New York. He lived with his family on 71st Street and graduated from LaSalle Senior High School, Niagara Falls in June 1957. He worked that summer at Goodyear Chemical.

Robert enlisted in the Naval Air Reserves at the Naval Air Station Niagara Falls while in his senior year of High School, transferring to active duty in August 1958. He met and married his wife Sarah in Lakehurst, New Jersey in 1963 while stationed at NARTU, Naval Air Station Lakehurst. Their Navy life together began in Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two (VQ2), Naval Station Rota, Spain, and ended at the Naval Submarine Training Center San Diego, California in July 1977 where Robert retired as a Chief Petty Officer with 20 years of service. Robert, Sarah, and their three children moved to Missoula, Montana, and civilian life.

Robert attended the Missoula Vocational Technical Center and was hired a few months short of graduation as a Programmer/Analyst in the Computer Center. Robert retired after 22 years from Missoula County Public Schools in December 2000 as a Computer Technician. During this time, his wife Sarah continued to raise and mentor their three children while also operating Playschool Day Care. Robert and Sarah cared for numerous foster children of all ages until a few years before her passing.

A private family visitation will be held at Garden City Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will be held at Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. where Robert will be laid to rest with his wife.