Robert William Leister

Robert William Leister, age 100, died on June 24, 2021. Preceded in death by parents, John and Josephine Leister, brothers Paul, John and Joseph Frederick Leister, sister Margaret Egger, and wife Elmira Virginia Leister. Retired Executive, Lazarus Company after 50 years of service, Charter member of Lazarus 50 Year Club and Past President, Lazarus 20 Year Club. Veteran of U.S. Army, WW II. Served in three Asiatic-Pacific campaigns to include Makin Atoli in the Gilbert Islands, Siapan in the Marianna Islands, and Okinawa in the Ryukus Islands. Colonel, AUS-Retired. Awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal with three bronze battle stars and bronze arrowhead and other decorations. Graduate of St. Mary Grade and High School, German Village, The Ohio State University and the Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Past President of the Serra Club of Columbus, Serra International, Past President, Central Ohio Chapter and Past Vice President for the State of Ohio, Association of the United States Army. Served on the Executive Committee and Central Board of Catholic Social Services, Diocese of Columbus. Survived by sons Charles R. (Ann) Leister of Columbus, Ohio, and Christopher T. (Beth K.) Leister of Ormond Beach, Florida; Grandchildren Jason T. (Barbra) of Columbus, OH; Joseph R. (Kimberly) Leister of Evandale, OH; Brian H. of Greenville, SC; Laura K. (Dallas) Burkhalter of West Palm Beach, FL; Carolyn A. (Stephen) Molzer of Columbia, SC; many great and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and nephews.  Friends may call Friday after 10:00 a.m. at St. Catharine Catholic Church, 500 S. Gould Road, Columbus, Ohio 43209,  where the Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m.  Rev. Dan Dury  celebrant. Burial St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends who wish may contribute to St. Catharine Catholic Church in Bob’s memory. 

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