Colonel Rick Lester lived life with great zest and adventure.  His "bigger-than-life" personality touched lives all over the world.  Born in San Antonio, Texas, January 4th, 1953, to James and Barbara Lester, Rick followed in his father's Air Force fighter pilot footsteps.  He joined the Air Force after attending Florida State University.  His first assignment after pilot training was to Taegu, Korea, flying the F-4, where he met his wife, Sandee Stalnecker.  They married in 1981.

Rick spent numerous years flying the F-15 at Eglin AFB in Niceville, Florida and at Bitburg AB, Germany where he deployed to fight in the Gulf War.   He commanded ROTC at Samford University and then became the United States National Military Representative to NATO in Belgium in 1996.  He moved to Australia in 2000 to act as the Defense Attaché to the American Embassy in Canberra, Australia where he also flew the C-12.  After 31 years of serving his country he retired as the Inspector General at Tyndall AFB, Panama City, Florida.  He started a second career as a high school teacher at Hernando High School in Brooksville, Florida.  He taught Advanced Placement classes for Psychology, Human Geography and Economics and was voted teacher of the year in 2015. He also coached football and golf.   Rick affected lives of his many students with his Christian values, his military stories, his honorable character, his endless knowledge, and his love of every student that walked through his door.

Rick shared a marriage ministry with his wife, Sandee, for 25 years.  He counseled hundreds of men and couples during that time on how to heal their marriages.  He touched everyone he met with his charming sense of humor and his ability to talk to anyone and make them feel comfortable.

He is survived by his wife, Sandee, and their son David and wife, Melissa, and their daughter, Megan and her husband Benjamin.

Rick passed away peacefully from the complications of cancer and sarcoidosis on July 28,2019