Robert R. Clester

Mr. Clester died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2004, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka.

He was born Aug. 17, 1926, in Belle Plaine, the son of Alex and Olwyn (Rowlands) Clester. He graduated from Winfield High School in 1943. He attended Wichita State University and was a graduate of the 80th session of the FBI National Academy.

Mr. Clester served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was sheriff of Cowley County from 1959 to 1962. He accepted an appointment to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation as a special agent in 1962 and retired 22 years later as special agent in charge. He was then executive director of the Kansas Sheriff’s Assn. and was director of security at the Kansas Lottery from 1987 until he retired in 1991.

He was a member of American Legion Post No. 10, Kansas Peace Officers Assn., FBI National Academy, Kansas Sheriff’s Assn. and St. John’s Lutheran Church.

He married Martha J. Marquardt on May 30, 1948, in Winfield. She survives, of the home.

Other survivors include a daughter, Marsha Schwyhart, Lawrence; two sisters, Marjorie Mallatt, Winfield, and Lexie Hamblin, Derby; a brother, Sam, Belle Plaine; and three grandchildren.

Friends may call after noon today at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel in Topeka, where family will receive them from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. today.

The family suggests memorials to the Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation, sent in care of Commerce Bank and Trust, P.O. Box 5049, Topeka 66605.

Online condolences may be sent at www.penwell-gabel

.com.