Lester Disenhof, 84, of Windham, NH passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on Saturday July 1, 2006 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He previously was a resident of Danvers, MA and New Jersey.
Lester was born in Brooklyn, NY, the son of Abraham and Rachel (Shapiro) Disenhof. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School, and after WW II he graduated with honors from Newark College of Engineering and he was a member of Tau Beta Pi. Lester had a successful career in instrumentation for the aircraft engine industry, working for Wright Aero and Curtiss Wright in NJ, and retiring in 1986 after 20 years as a manager at GE Riverworks in Lynn.
Lester was in the US Navy and was assigned to the United Nations Conference in San Francisco, where the formal Charter of the United Nations was signed in June of 1945. Following this assignment, Lester landed on Okinawa the day Japan surrendered.
Lester met his wife Sylvia when they were 13 years old and they married in 1946, following his discharge from the Navy.
Lester took an active role in raising his sons, becoming scoutmaster for Troop 62 in Fair Lawn, NJ, Troop 152 in Peabody, MA, and was later involved with a troop for special needs children. After his sons’ graduation from Scouting, Lester volunteered at the local Boy Scout Council, becoming a District Commissioner and was awarded the Silver Beaver award, the Boy Scout’s highest “adult volunteer” accolade. Lester was also a member of the Knights of Pythias in NJ, the Merrimack Valley Camera Club and was a life associate of Hadassah in Peabody, MA.
Lester was a keen observer of the world around him, whether it was politics, human nature or the Red Sox starting lineup. He could make friends with anyone at anytime, loved a good story and had a warm sense of humor. In retirement, Lester revived his passion for photography and enjoyed learning new techniques as an amateur photographer, moving from a darkroom to digital photography when in his 80’s.
Lester took great pleasure in helping others and truly took great joy in being thought of as a resource and teacher. He was always looking for ways to help and enjoyed giving more than receiving. Lester and Sylvia’s house has always been open to those in need and they have many “adopted” family members worldwide. For the past 26 years, Lester fully supported Sylvia in her volunteer work, teaching Russian and Chinese immigrants English.
Lester was very proud of his family and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Survived by:
Wife: Sylvia (Klion) Disenhof of Windham, NH
Sons: Stephen Disenhof & his wife Dr. Joanne Hom of Mill Valley, CA
Larry Disenhof & his wife Gigi of Salem, NH
Grandchildren: Corinne, Alexander, Katherine & Jonathan
Sister: Miriam & her husband Harold Moak of FL
Brothers-in-law: Sanford & his wife Marilyn Klion of FL
Dr. Franklin & his wife Barbara Klion of NY
Many nieces, nephews and cousins
A Funeral Service will be Thursday at 10 AM at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH. Burial will follow in Farband Cemetery in Danvers, MA.
The family requests that no flowers be sent. Memorial Contributions may be made to:
American Cancer Society
Gail Singer Bldg
360 State Route 101, Suite 501
Bedford, NH 03110
OR
Hadassah, c/o Shalom Hadassah
2 Donna St.
Peabody, MA 01960
The family will be observing Shiva at the family home, 84 Mountain Village Road, Windham, NH on Saturday July 8th and Sunday July 9th from 6-9 PM.