Lester Roy Galst Obituary (2015) - Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Les Galst, of Lake Havasu City, passed on 11/13/2015, he was 97 years old. He was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin, 9 Sept, 1918. He is survived by 2 daughters and 6 grandchildren and the love of his life, Jo Black. He was born into a wealthy Russian immigrant family who founded the Keystone Construction Company of Milwaukee. Les ventured into the entertainment industry in late 30's. His big silver screen credit was "Ringside Macey" where he performed alongside Ann Southern. In 1941, he was drafted into the Army Signal Corps. He went in as a private, and came out as a Lieutenant. Les was a philanthropist who created The Galst Foundation which grew into the foundation for the handicapped and mentally challenged now known as New Horizons. He moved to Lake Havasu City in the early days of the city, 1968. He headed up numerous businesses from pet grooming and a janitorial service, but his largest success came from opening Londonderry Realty which he opened in 1980. Londonderry Realty eventually became one of the top real estate brokerages in Lake Havasu City. Les was always community minded and involved in the growth and well being of LHC. He was a member of the National Association of Realtors and the Arizona Association of Realtors since 1969. He was the first Certified Real Estate Managing Broker, the first Certified Residential Specialist and was the first to graduate from the Realtor Institute in Lake Havasu City and Mohave County. In the early days of the city he was heavily involved in the National Speed Ski Championships, and from 1968 through 1972 - the Outboard World Championships. He was extremely proud of the fact that for the first three years, ABC's Wide World of Sports broadcast the races on national television. Les was one of the first pioneers to join the Lake Havasu City Citizens Committee which later became the Lake Havasu City Chamber of Commerce. He was the president of the Lake Havasu City Historical Society the forerunner of the present-day museum organization. Working with many of the early pioneers, Les and his colleagues were able to work through the historical society to develop and build the Lake Havasu City Museum of History. Today the museum is host to an incredible photo, video and book library containing the amazing history of Lake Havasu City and the London Bridge. A Memorial Service/Funeral will be held at Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home at 2 pm on Friday, November 20th. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to New Horizons in Les' name. Services were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory. Thoughts and condolences may be sent to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com.