Donald Lesch

Donald Martin Lesch, CW04, U.S. Army, Ret., and beloved “Bupa,” passed away at the age of 95 in his home on October 9, 2018.  He was born on April 23, 1923 in Fon Dul Lac, Wisconsin to George and Margaret (Bloedel) Lesch.  He moved to Chicago, Illinois as a teenager.  By 1943, at the age of 19, he was drafted into the U.S. Army.  Lesch was an American patriot who served the United States faithfully throughout his life.  He retired as a CWO4 after a distinguished career in the United States Army.  Lesch was awarded the U.S. Army Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star, a number of battle stars, and decorations from the Vietnamese and Korean governments for his service in WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.  He honorably fought during WWII with the 157th Infantry, 45th Division.  His unit entered Europe at Anzio and then on April 29, 1945, bravely liberated the Dachau Concentration Camp.  After his war service, Lesch, while serving with the Army, worked with NATO units as an ROTC instructor in Hanau Germany in the 1950s and then returned to the U.S. and started teaching ROTC at Lane Tech High School in the 1960’s, where he continued to have a positive impact on the lives of those around him.  In 1963, Lesch served with the 24th Vietnam Division as an adviser during the Vietnam war.

Lesch is survived by his youngest daughter, Suzanne Nelsen; son-in-law Wayne Serviss; adopted-son Maj. Gen. Ronald L. Johnson, U.S. Army, Ret.; grandchildren, Brett (and Trisha) Serviss, Bryan Serviss, Victoria (and Matthew) Roberts, Brita (and JJ) Jarrell, Rex E. Nelsen, Miriam (and Usman) Awan, as well as eleven (11) great grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Elaine Patricia Lesch; his eldest daughter, Donna Serviss; his son-in-law Rex E. Nelsen, Lt. col. USMC, ret.; and his brothers Lawrence and Gregory Lesch.

Lesch will be interned at Arlington National Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the care of Countryside Funeral Home, Anthony, Florida.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the Veterans Affairs (VA) or other U.S. service-member charities are greatly appreciated.