Lester A. Moses

Lester A. Moses, 77, died at Cottage Hospital (Nov. 30, 2007, at approximately 1:13 am), as a result of escalating complications involving diabetes.Mr. Moses was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at present, the home of much of his extended family. He attended Central High School there, earning a B.A. upon graduation, followed by a B.A. from Antioch College, an M.A. from the University of Iowa, and a Ph.D. from Yale University. In his final year at Yale, he won the Yale Poetry Award.After a few years teaching at the University of Delaware, Mr. Moses held a succession of positions in Communications and Public Relations with, first, the Boeing Company, then Westinghouse, and finally, a financial real estate investment corporation in Los Angeles.He is survived by his wife, Dolores, and a son, Thomas, presently on the faculty of Knox College. He was predeceased by his eldest son, Michael, who succumbed to melanoma in 1992. Grandchildren include a granddaughter, Julia, and twin grandsons, David and Thomas, Michael’s progeny. His grandson Mark is the son of Thomas Moses and Diane Frenster residing here in Galesburg.Beloved by his wife and children, Lester Moses was acknowledged to possess wide-ranging interests and rare talents, not the least of which was his unique combination of intellect and compassion. His family plans to prepare and publish a volume of his poetry in the coming months, hoping to recapture and retain his own true voice for their future.A memorial service is planned for sometime in the Spring. At this time, his family are left only with thoughts “too deep for tears.”