Obituary
Lester Feller, born December 29, 1932 in New York, resident of Niles, Illinois, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2020 at the age of 87. Loving and devoted husband of Elaine (62 years of marriage), beloved father of Marcia (Bernard) Turnoy and Ross (Kora) Feller, beloved uncle of Leslie, Susan, and David, and adoring grandfather of Barrett, Max, and Misha. Lester received a Bachelor's Degree in food science from Cornell University and a Master's Degree from the University of California at Davis. He began his professional career in Chicago while stationed in the army, developing Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) rations. He was also a nationally ranked marksman who was invited to join the U.S. Olympic Team. He went on to work for Kraft Foods, Quaker Oats, Sara Lee, and Lawrence Foods, Inc., where he was the Technical Director and developed a patent for a vegetable-based glaze. In addition to his accomplishments in the food industry he founded and directed the Printer's Row Printing Museum in the South Loop, housing his large collection of letterpress, flatbed presses, and linotype machines, as well as many unique typefaces including a rare font created by the type designer Frederic Goudy. As museum director of the Printer's Row Printing Museum he was featured in the August 18, 1989 issue of the Chicago Tribune. He eventually donated the collection, now called The Les Feller Family Collection, to the Tampa Book Arts Studio at the University of Tampa, Florida, where it is being used to teach the art of typesetting. He also was an active musician, performing locally and in Naples, Florida on the saxophone and clarinet for a variety of bands. After retiring from the food industry he formally studied music at Oakton College, winning various awards for his inventive improvisatory performances. He was also a longtime volunteer at the Chicago Botanical Garden, and at print shops in Long Grove and Six Flags Great America. In lieu of flowers the family recommends donations to the Jewish United Fund.