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David Hester
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 Hester, Rev. Dr. David Charles,
70, died Friday, May 8, 2015. He was the Harrison Ray Anderson Professor of Pastoral Theology, Professor of Christian Education and Director of the Doctor of Ministry and Christian Education Programat Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.David was born in Parsons, KS, to Herschel G. Hester, Jr. and Virginia Hudspeth Hester. He earned a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Maine, a Masters of Divinity from Bangor Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Duke University.
Ordained as minister of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), David served as a pastor of churches in Maine, North Carolina and Kentucky. He also served as Assistant Professor of Religion at Berea College, and later joined the faculty of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary as Associate Professor of Christian Education. He would also go on to serve as faculty director of the Grawemeyer Award in Religion and, for seven years, as Dean of the Seminary.
Dr. Hester's love of the Old Testament and Christian education led him to write First and Second Samuel and Job, and coauthor Building Effective Boards for Religious Institutions: A Handbook for Trustees, Presidents, and Church Leaders. For 22 years, he taught an adult Sunday school class with his dear friend and colleague, Gene March, at Highland Presbyterian Church.
In his personal life, David always made a connection with the places he called home and the people he served. He was a passionate Boston Red Sox and Duke Blue Devils fan, enjoyed the rolling hills of Kentucky, and frequently returned to the coast of Maine to fish, boat and spend time with family. In Louisville, he could often be found listening to NPR or reading the New York Times with a hot cup of coffee.
Dr. Hester is survived by Gale Hester, his wife of 52 years; his children, David Lee Hester, Dr. Paul Hester (Chasity), Michelle Stillwagon (Andy), and Jason Hester; eight grandchildren; and his brother, Herschel G. Hester III. He will be deeply missed.
A memorial service will be 2 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2015 at Highland Presbyterian Church, 1011 Cherokee Road. A private interment will take place at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where his papers will be archived.
The family requests Memorial donations be made to the Louisville Seminary Student Book Assistance Fund by calling 502.992.9352 or 800.264.1839, extension 352 or gifts of flowers can be delivered to Highland Presbyterian Church for Friday's Service.
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