Roll Call Tribute

William Bernard "Bernie" Lester 

January 9, 1939 - December 6, 2024 

W Bernard “Bernie” Lester of Lakeland, FL passed away December 6, 2024 due to Parkinson’s disease. He was born in 1939 in Hinson, Florida and graduated from Havana High School in 1956. He received BSA (’61) and MSA (’62) degrees from the University of Florida and a PhD (’65) from Texas A & M University.

He spent the first two years of his professional career with the US Dept. of Agriculture at Texas A&M University. He joined the Florida Department of Citrus staff in 1967, beginning as a Research Economist and advancing to Economic Research Director, Deputy Executive Director, and Executive Director. The final half of his career was with Alico, Inc. which he joined in l986. Alico was an agribusiness company with operations in the Florida counties of Polk, Hendry, Lee and Collier. He began as Deputy Executive Vice President and Deputy COO and advanced to President and COO. He retired in 2005.

His service contributions included membership and officer positions for various fraternal, industry, university and church organizations.

Recognitions include Award of Distinction by the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Brothers of the Century by Alpha Gamma Rho, Distinguished Citizen Award by the SW Florida Council, Boy Scouts of America, Distinguished Award by Gamma Sigma Delta, University Of Florida, Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Inductee, Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame Inductee, Outstanding Agriculturist by the Florida Association of County Agents, Special Recognition with wife, Elaine, for support of Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Athletics. He was a charter Trustee for FGCU and also served as a board director for the FGCU Foundation and FGCU Financing Corporation. He was recognized by Alico and FGCU with the naming of the W. Bernard Lester Academic Chair for Market Analysis and Development. He and his wife established the Elaine P. and W. Bernard Lester Scholarship at Florida Gulf Coast University, the W. Bernard and Elaine P. Lester Student Development Endowment at the University of Florida and the W. Bernard Lester Leadership Scholarship at the Alpha Gamma Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho at the University of Florida. He and his wife were recognized by the naming of the Athletic Administration Office Complex and the Athletic Building at Florida Gulf Coast University.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine; son, Mark and his wife, Deborah in Lakeland; brother, Charles and his wife, Betty Jo, in Tallahassee; and sister, Mary and her husband, Lamar Gay in Tallahassee.

There will be no public visitation or service.