Lester was a 1930 graduate of the Stevens Institute of Technology, where he was a member of the Tau Beta Pi honorary engineering society, manager of the varsity lacrosse team, president of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity, and president of the student council and of the Class of 1930. He also served as class agent and telethon member for the Alumni Fund, member of the Alumni Council, decade representative for the 1930s Decade and chairman of the Stevens Old Guard.

He also attended Iowa State Graduate School.

He worked for thirty-seven years for New Jersey Bell in Newark from 1930-1967, retiring as an engineering manager in 1967. He was a registered engineer in the state of New Jersey and is a life member of the National Society of Professional Engineers. He served as past president of the Essex County Society of Professional Engineers and was a recipient of the Citizens of the Year Award from the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers.

Lester married, April 27, 1940, in the First Presbyterian and Trinity Church, South Orange, New Jersey, Lillian Marguerite Lowrey (Marguerite). She was born April 16, 1915 in Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of Dr. James H— Lowrey and Elsie A— (Stengel) Lowrey. Marguerite was a 1937 graduate of Skidmore College, where she was a home-economics major. She was a longtime supporter of student scholarships at Skidmore and served as a class agent and reunion volunteer. She was also a dietitian at Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.

Children:

1. — Mersfelder.
2. — Mersfelder.

The Mersfelders lived in Maplewood, Essex County, New Jersey until 1998, when they moved to Basking Ridge. Lester was an active community citizen in Maplewood, serving as a scoutmaster and troop committee chairman at Morrow Memorial Church, and on the Maplewood Board of Adjustment, holding the position of vice-chairman.

Lester died Monday, June 24, 2002 in Fellowship Village, Basking Ridge, Somerset County, New Jersey. He was survived by his wife, two children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held at Fellowship Hall in Fellowship Village, 8000 Fellowship Road, Basking Ridge, on Friday, June 28, at 1 P.M. It was suggested that donations in his memory be made to the Class of 1930 Scholarship, Steven's Institute of Technology, Office of Development, Castle Point on Hudson, Hoboken, N.J. Arrangements were by The Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home, Maplewood, N.J.

Marguerite died April 20, 2010 in Basking Ridge, Somerset County, New Jersey. She was survived by her two children and several grandchildren.