Robert Allen Koester ’52

Robert Allen Koester ’52 of Springfield, Illinois, died on March 26 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born February 10, 1930, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and lived his early life there, graduating from Glenbard High School in 1948. Bob graduated with a degree in history and was a member of Psi Upsilon. After college Bob spent four years in the U.S. Air Force, mostly in domestic assignments. He then spent most of his career in sales in the commercial refrigeration field, including with Tyler Refrigeration Co. in Niles, Michigan. Bob was later employed by the Rock Island (Illinois) Arsenal, retiring in 1993. While at Tyler Refrigeration he met and married Marjorie Hertel on June 6, 1959. Their 42-year marriage was cut short when she predeceased him on June 7, 2000. Bob is survived by children Nancy and Jeffrey and their spouses, four granddaughters, and nine great-grandchildren. He was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Springfield and the church was an important part of his life. Military honors were conducted on his behalf.