Lester T. Kempner, 89, of River Vale, died May 13, 2018. Born in Chicago, IL, to his parents Jack and Minnie Kempner, he served as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, where he earned a Bronze Star for heroic achievement at the Battle of Pork Chop Hill during the Korean War.
Following the war, he graduated from Roosevelt University in his native Illinois. His professional achievements were numerous.
As one of the original executives at Bargain Town, and later Toys R’ Us, he helped build the toy giant into an internationally recognized brand. In the following years, he would create a second career in finance as a stock broker and then a financial planner. He also had incredible passion for his hobbies including his collection of Mickey and Minnie Mouse memorabilia and his commitment to the success of the national nonprofit organization Caps For Kids, as well as his love for Dunkin Donuts coffee and all things chocolate. He is survived by his wife Lois Neiman Kempner.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Ellen Kempner and her husband Lee Sucherman, Michael Kempner and his wife Jacqueline Kempner, and Brian Kempner and his wife Laura Kempner; his grandchildren Jamie O’Berry and her husband Bentley O’Berry, Emily Sucherman, Zachary Kempner, Melissa Kempner, Olivia Kempner, Ethan Kempner and Ross Kempner; his great-grandson Wyatt O’Berry; his sister-in-law Eleanor Kempner. He was predeceased by his brother Marvin Kempner.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 15 at Cedar Park Cemetery in Paramus. Donations in memory of Lester Kempner are warmly welcome to Caps for Kids (www.capsforkids.org).