Lester Merrill Wintz, 79, father, husband, cherished partner and Renaissance man, passed away on Thursday, March 1, 2007 in Rancho Mirage. He was a former Idyllwild resident.
He lived life to the fullest, left nothing undone and made the lives of those he touched far better for the experience.
Lester’s accomplishments in life were many. He served his country in World War II; worked in television production during its formative years; pioneered the development of direct marketing; wrote music with the likes of Gerald Wilson, Clare Fischer and Joe Massters; led the development of sports marketing with the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Kings and World Cup Soccer; and served on the board of Internet start-ups.
Lester’s accomplishments in love and family were also great. He married Beverly Wintz in 1950 and remained a loving husband until her death in 2004.
Lester lived life on his own terms and to the fullest. The day before he died, he said, “I’m nearly 80 years old, have led a full life and have been blessed with love. How can I complain about that?”
A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, April 15, in Rancho Mirage. For details, call Pete or Suzy Capparelli at 659-4727.
He leaves behind a legacy of warm and lasting relationships: a son, Doug, and his wife, Royce Kaplan Wintz; a daughter, Jodi, and her husband, Murray Rosel; grandchildren Sara and Alex Wintz and Trevor Rose; and a brother, Robert, and his wife Jane Wintz, and their extended families.
In later years, Lester was again blessed with love in his relationship with Joan Dodge.