In Memory of Howard Lester

August 14, 1935 - November 15, 2010

The Lester Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation regrets to announce the passing of our Founding Benefactor, W. Howard Lester.

A quintessential entrepreneur, W. Howard Lester died Monday, November 15, 2010 at his home surrounded by his loved ones in Indian Wells, California after a 13-year long battle with cancer. He was a business icon, who for over 32 years guided the development and success of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. portfolio of brands. Howard strove to improve the lives of others through his philanthropy. With his wife Mary, they supported education, medical research, youth programs and the arts. In 1991, he founded The Lester Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation within the Haas School of Business at the University at California, Berkeley, which now carries on his legacy of business enterprise. (read the full obituary)

"Howard was a pioneer." says Jerry Engel, founder and faculty director of the Lester Center. "In 1991, at a time when only a handful of universities taught entrepreneurship, he backed a vision that ultimately created one of the world's leading programs. A regular visitor to our classrooms, Howard's guidance and mentorship of our students was one of our secret weapons. His personal impact was immense. Many of us had the opportunity to learn from him directly, and many more are the beneficiaries of his energy, wisdom and support. We will miss him."

Andre Marquis, executive director of the Lester Center, notes how Howard Lester's legacy lives on at the Haas School: "The sad news of his passing came to us on a day that the Lester Center is hosting 27 entrepreneurial startup teams from 20 countries as part of the
Intel+UC Berkeley Technology Entrepreneurship Challenge. These shining entrepreneurs have come from all over the world to Berkeley to share their inspiration, energy and commitment to change the world in positive ways. This day is a most fitting tribute to Howard Lester's vision and generosity."

W. Howard Lester received many honors and awards for his business and philanthropic successes. In 2003, he was honored by the Haas School of Business as the Business Leader of the Year and also received an honorary degree from the University of Oklahoma the following year. Most recently, Howard was inducted into the Bay Area Council’s Business Hall of Fame in October 2010.

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