Robert Gardiner Nester

FAIRHOPE , AL   CDR Robert Gardiner Nester was born November 12, 1919, in Mobile , AL , and passed into eternity on January 26, 2012.   CDR Nester was a long-time resident of Fairhope, a member of St. James Episcopal Church, and the Fairhope Yacht Club.   CDR Nester attended UMS-Wright Preparatory school and graduated from Murphy High.   After high school, he attended Auburn University graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering with an aeronautical option.   He was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.   He also graduated from the US Naval Academy Post Graduate School and received his master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Minnesota . During WWII, CDR Nester flew B-24s from Dunkeswell , England .   Upon returning to the states, he went to night fighter school and flew jets off aircraft carriers during the Korean War.   He was in Vietnam as an advisor to the French prior to the US involvement.   He was a test pilot in the 1950s and retired from the Navy in 1968. In his early years Bob was an avid sailor.   Before retiring he had his much loved boat, the Pegasus, custom made in Hong Kong and sailed, with a crew of five, in the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Race to the Philippine Islands.   For many years the boat was moored at Fly Creek.  After his retirement he spent his years building his home, sailing, playing cribbage, and reading.   Those whose lives were touched by Bob are blessed by the memory of his gentle spirit and exceptional character.   CDR Nester was preceded in death by his parents J. Martin Nester and Melville Tucker Nester, his brother John Martin Nester, Sr. and wife Barbara, and his grandparents The Rev. and Mrs. Gardiner Tucker.   Bob is survived by his wife Gilda, his two step-children Lisa Kelly (Sean), Timothy Yahr, his four grandchildren, Megan, Stephen, Matthew and Sean, Jr., three great-grandchildren, Zoe, Christian, and Gabriel.   He is also survived by his nephews R. Douglas Nester (Marlene), and John M. Nester, Jr. (Daphne), three great nieces Jade Nester, Renee Messenger (Stephen), and Rachael   Vaughn (Casey)   and their son Lucas, very special cousins Sidney Phillips and Katherine Phillips Singer, as well as other relatives and friends.   A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 860 North Section Street , Fairhope , AL   36532 .   Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m.   In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the St. James Memorial Fund.   ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC 19698 GREENO ROAD FAIRHOPE , AL 36532 (251) 990-7775