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<em>Albert Francis ‘Al’ Leister Jr. </em>was born in Winston-Salem, NC on November 20, 1946. He passed away on January 4, 2015. His parents met and married during World War II, and he made the Army a career. Al thrived on the ever-changing adventures of an Army brat with the numerous moves to new and exciting places. His siblings, Mary and Bob, recall how his bowling and dancing skills, love of 50s and 60s music, and mastery of board games on war and strategy helped him to make friends quickly with each new posting. As a youngster, Al exhibited a sense of commitment as a devout altar boy, a dutiful Boy Scout, and a perfect-shot paperboy.</p>
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As the oldest child, Fran, as his family called Al, shouldered significant responsibilities at home. The nurturing of his siblings earned him their lifelong affection. His father’s frequent absences on military duties often left Al as the “man of the house.” On one such occasion, a devastating, though erroneous, report of his father’s death in a 1959 Vietnam bombing led to Al’s decision to follow in his father’s footsteps. He was inspired, not only by his father but also by the compassion and professionalism of the military liaison personnel assigned to assist the family through those chaotic days. Not yet a teenager, Al set his sights on becoming a cadet and officer. Fortunately, Al’s father and mother lived to see him graduate from West Point and to serve with distinction.</p>
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Seeking an appointment from Venezuela (the latest family posting) was not easy. So, in 1964, at the age of seventeen, Al joined the Army. After basic he was assigned to the USMA Preparatory School as a cadet candidate. A year later he joined his West Point class, proudly wearing the Good Conduct Medal that he had earned in the “real Army.” He came fully prepared to share the knowledge and skills that the extra year had afforded him, much to the delight of his plebe year roommates. A revered member of the B-3 brotherhood that survived four TACs in four years, Al was serious but not too serious. Nicknamed ‘Farfel’ by his irreverent companymates, he was the go-to guy for advice on any subject. Al was fun, full of life, and a great pal for a Saturday night music trivia session in the Weapons Room, a double date, or a weekend in the city. All could see that this intelligent, savvy, and loyal friend would become a superb army officer.</p>
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Al branched Armor, earned the coveted Ranger Tab, and was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge in Vietnam. He proudly spent a significant part of his career in cavalry units. Happiest when leading his troops, he was a perfect cut of a cavalryman: amazing situational awareness, superb tactical acumen, refined communications and people skills, and a calm demeanor.</p>
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After earning a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Washington, he taught leadership at West Point and was a contributing author of his department’s textbook, A <em>Study of Organizational Leadership</em>. After squadron command, Al served as Division Inspector General and then attended the Army War College. During his career, he served more than 12 years in Germany during the Cold War, mostly in troop units and often patrolling the inter-German border. Fittingly, after nearly 31 years of service, Colonel Al Leister retired in 1999 while serving as the Chief of the European Command Liaison Office in the Pentagon.</p>
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Al immediately began a second career, working for Northrup Grumman. He performed superbly for four years as the program manager of all IT services for the White House during the very nervous times of the millennial rollover (Y2K) and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Al spent his last 10 years as an exceptionally successful business development executive, retiring in 2012.</p>
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Having moved from the DC area to Lake Murray in South Carolina to be closer to his daughter and grandsons, Al continued his lifetime of service in retirement. He was instrumental in assisting the West Point Society of Columbia, SC to develop an Ethics and Leadership Program for high school students, which bears his name <em>in memoriam</em>. He was also an active volunteer and chairman with the South Carolina SCORE program, which assists small business development. Though his health was failing, he faithfully contributed until shortly before his passing.</p>
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Al was a loving and caring son, brother, husband, father to Dawn and Tiffany, grandfather to Jacob and Caden Tuley, and reliable friend and steadfast advisor to stepsons Andy and Nick Welihozkiy. The only thing that made him happier than swapping stories about duty on the border in Germany was a day relaxing with his second wife, Jane, on the back porch of their lake house, or on the Jet Ski with a grandson. He fought a long and courageous battle with cancer without a complaint. While he left us too soon, Al was an inspiration to us all. His passage in his class Legacy Book, published after his death, poignantly reflects that he cherished his classmates and was proud to be a member of the Long Gray Line.</p>
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<em>— Family and Classmates</em></p>