Charles Lesh

Charles A. Lesh, retired educator and businessman, died on December 11, 2009, at the age of 71. Charles was born on June 25, 1938, in Bonne Terre, Missouri, the son of Esther Archer Lesh and William Russell Lesh, who preceded him in death. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1960 with a degree in agricultural engineering. In July 1966, Charles received a master’s degree in science education from The Ohio State University. He taught high school physics, chemistry, biology, math, and later computer science for many years before opening a furniture and appliance store in Pacific, Missouri. In the early 1980s, Charles began a long struggle with Parkinson Disease, which led to his retirement soon after.

Charles leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Pat. Charles and Pat met while attending college and married on June 4, 1962, in Columbia, Missouri. Also surviving are three sons: Richard and wife Sandra of St. Peters; Steve and wife Diana of Bolivar; and Scott of Pacific. He has five grandchildren: Eric, Erin, McKenzie, Emily, and Reaghan. He is also survived by a sister, Nina L. Henley and husband Wayne of Sacramento, California, and a brother, William Russell Lesh, Jr. of Evanston, Wyoming, as well as many nieces and nephews. Charles and Pat were long-time residents of Pacific before moving to St. Peters three years ago.

Charles had a life-long interest in photography, electronics, Missouri history and conservation, and Route 66 nostalgia. He also enjoyed traveling–teaching for a year at the American School in Lima, Peru, visiting Vienna, Austria, and later cruising to Alaska, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Charles will be remembered as a people person who loved to engage in conversation.

A memorial service will be held on January 2, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at SunRise United Methodist Church, 7116 Twin Chimneys Blvd., O’Fallon, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Louis Chapter-Patient Services, American Parkinson Disease Association, Campus Box 8111, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110-1010.

9 Comments

  1. The Wasiutas on December 29, 2009 at 12:00 am

    Our deepest condolences goes out to the entire Lesh family. Charles was lucky to have you all in his life, especially his wife Pat.



  2. The Fines on December 29, 2009 at 12:00 am

    We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.



  3. Ellen LeMond and Family on December 31, 2009 at 12:00 am

    We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.



  4. Ellen LeMond and Family on December 31, 2009 at 12:00 am

    We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.



  5. Bob and Doris Harryman on December 31, 2009 at 12:00 am

    Very nice picture, the way we want to remember Charles before the PD took over his activities. You have been a wonderful, supportive family through all these years for him. Not many could come near your level of loving care and concern for those in their life.



  6. Joanne & Gordon Odegaard on January 3, 2010 at 12:00 am

    We are sorry for your loss. We will always remember our days together at NAU and teaching together at the American School of Lima. Our trip to the mountains of Peru will always be memorable. These experiences in Peru would not haven been possible without Charles and Pat. We will miss Charles.



  7. Barbara Alt on January 4, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Pat, Richard, Steve, and Scott, Leroy and I were sorry to hear of Charles’s passing. You are all in our prayers. I love the picture. It shows Charles as I remember him. I have many fond memories of the Lesh family from church and furniture store. God bless you in this time of loss.

    Barb



  8. Barbara Alt on January 4, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Pat, Richard, Steve, and Scott, Leroy and I were sorry to hear of Charles’s passing. You are all in our prayers. I love the picture. It shows Charles as I remember him. I have many fond memories of the Lesh family from church and furniture store. God bless you in this time of loss.

    Barb



  9. Christof Isak on July 24, 2016 at 10:05 pm

    Hello Pat,Richard,Steve,Scott !
    I am deeply sorry to have heard that
    your father has died in late 2009.
    My mother died 2001,yesterday!And I still
    can´t acept it.As you,Pat,once said.
    Mothers are supposed to stay for ever.I
    guess that´s also true for fathers and
    husbands.Should have used the web earlier to contact you ,but normaly I am a complet off-liner.
    Had to move to Spain,Canarian islands,
    after house burnt down twice in 2013
    and again in2014.
    Trying to call you.
    Thankful,yours,Chris!



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