GALST, Lester Roy

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Published on Novemner 18, 2015 - Les Galst, 97, of Lake Havasu City, passed Nov 15, 2015. He was born to a Russian immigrant family in Milwaukee and is survived by two daughters, six grandchildren and the love of his life, Jo Black. Les joined the entertainment industry in his 30s. His big screen credit was “Ringside Macey” where he performed alongside Ann Southern. In 1941, he was drafted into the Army Signal Corps achieving rank of lieutenant. A philanthropist, he created The Galst Foundation and grew the Foundation for the Handicapped and Mentally Challenged, now called New Horizons. Moving to Lake Havasu City in 1968, Les headed up numerous businesses ranging from pet grooming to a janitorial service. His largest success came from opening Londonderry Realty in 1980. Londonderry became one of the top real estate brokerages in Lake Havasu City. Always community-minded, Les 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. Les was of the first pioneers to join the Lake Havasu City Citizens Committee, which later became the Lake Havasu City Chamber of Commerce. As the president of the Lake Havasu City Historical Society, and forerunner of the present-day museum organization, Les and his colleagues were able to work through the historical society to develop the Lake Havasu City Museum of History. Today, the museum is host to a media library containing the history of Lake Havasu City. A memorial service at Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home is at 2 p.m. Friday. 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.