Unfortunate news: Lester Wethington

[TylerC]

Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I share an update about the Festool family:

Lester Wethington, service manager for Festool USA, passed away on Thursday, May 12.

Many of you have had contact with him over the years of service he provided, and we wanted to let you know of his passing. Lester was highly regarded and respected in the company as well as by our dealers and customers. His demeanor, intelligence, leadership, and heart for customer service will be sorely missed. He was also a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Our service center will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, May 17 so that our staff can attend his funeral service. Operations will resume on Wednesday, May 18. 

As a personal request, if you have a service need in the following weeks, please be patient and compassionate with the service team, as this is a difficult time for them both personally and professionally.

Our sympathy goes out to his family and friends and all that had the pleasure of meeting him. 

You can find Lester’s obituary online here: http://www.strawmyerdrury.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=3719536&fh

 

[peter halle]

My family's thoughts and prayers go out to both his family and also to his FESTOOL family.  Lester was an incredible man who helped myself and so many.

Peter

 

[McNally Family]

My condolences to his family, co-workers and friends.  I had just received an email from him on the 11th, answering a question I had submitted.  It just goes to show, we never know when. 

 

[tjbnwi]

Lester treated me very well when I attended the classes and on the phone.

Condolences to both his family and the Festool USA family.

Tom

 

[Shane Holland]

Lester was a great friend and colleague during my time with Festool. I had corresponded with him just within the last week or so. He was one of the most humble, wholesome, good people that I have ever met in my life. This news was emotional to learn. My thoughts and prayers for my ex-colleagues who have lost a great member of the Festool team, as well as Lester's wife and sons.

 

[ScotF]

Wow - that is sad news. While I have not had to interact with service often, when I did and when Lester was involved it was always a great experience. It was refreshing to work with someone as passionate about service and the company and products as Lester was and my thoughts are with his family.

 

[Bob Marino]

The news hit me like a rock. It is unsettling and upsetting. I've only had the pleasure of meeting Lester a couple of times but had spoken with him many times. He was a good to the bones person, just so soft spoken, helpful and decent. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.

 

[Phil Beckley]

Condolences from Festool UK to Lesters family, friends and work colleagues at Festool U.S
rg
Festool U.K

 

[semenza]

I offer my sympathy and condolences to his family, friends and  co-workers.

Seth

 

[ear3]

My sincere condolences.

 

[mwildt]

Condolence to his family and the rest of the Festool family.

 

[Brian Livingstone]

Hi,

I spoke to Lester several times, all the way from Nova Scotia Canada, and I always received first class treatment from him.  I could tell he was one of the good guys.  I read his obituary and yikes, he was younger than I am.  Does anyone know if this was unexpected.

My partner's father passed on Sunday.  He was 86.  My own mother, also 86, is on borrowed time.  This I can accept.  Seeing a man go in the seemingly prime of his life is so sad.  Condolences to his family.

 

[peter halle]

Brian,

It was an accident.

Peter

 

[rnt80]

My condolences to his family and to the Festool family.  In my dealings with him on the phone he seemed to be the ideal person for a company's front man.  He was patient, articulate, understanding, and humble. 

 

[mouppe]

So very sad. I have spoken to Lester many times over the last few years. He was always so helpful and his technical assistance was invariably right.

Sincere condolences to his friends, family and coworkers.

 

[deepcreek]

I've never had to send anything in to Festool service until recently.

I had a tool that I was so dissatisfied with trying to get adjusted that I was ready to sell it on Craigslist. 

I mentioned this to a Festool application specialist during a roadshow event.  He told me to send the tool to Lester with a note to call him.

I did as instructed and it came back so fast I couldn't believe it.

The tool had to be substantially rebuilt to resolve the issue and even though it was in the latter part of the warranty period the charge was zero.

Thank you Lester.  You will be missed.

Godspeed!

 

[waho6o9]

Rest In Peace Lester.

 

[sancho57]

My condolences to Lesters family and coworkers . RIP

 

[Chip S.]

My deepest condolences to Lester's family and our friends at Festool USA.

Ever the gentleman, Lester always made time to chat during my visits to Lebanon. A massive help over the years I've corresponded with him. Could not have been more professional and personable. Lester will truly be missed.

 

[Sparktrician]

I'm just so sad.  I only met Lester once, and he left the indelible impression as being a true gentleman and a craftsman.  [sad]