Richard Carl Lesser, of Clermont, Florida formally of Glenmont, New York and Fripp Island, South Carolina. Mr. Lesser was born in Albany, New York, the son of Rudolph W. and Marjorie May Lesser. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Katherine C. Lesser in 2007. He is survived by three children; Richard A. (Mayra) Lesser of Orlando, Florida, Colin A. (Melinda) Lesser of Clermont, Florida, and Hilary (Stephen) Phillips of Greenwich, Connecticut, and eight grandchildren; Randi Lynn Gravino, Colin Lesser, Justen Lesser, Adam Lesser, Bryson Lesser, Sydney Grace Phillips, Samuel Paul Phillips, and Hope Campbell Phillips

Mr. Lesser was a graduate of Williams College in Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A mathematician and computer scientist, he was the founding director of the Cornell University Computing Center and for over 22 years, held management positions in the computer field for the State of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Lesser were for many years, proprietors of Unicorn Antiques near Albany, New York. A nationally ranked bridge player for years, he was National Intercollegiate champion while representing MIT in 1950. In later years, he was an avid golfer.

Mr. Lesser was a veteran of World War II and served for over three years in the Army Air Corps and Air Force in the United States and Africa. As a flight radio operator and mechanic, he logged over 1,100 hours of flight time. He was awarded the American Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star, the World War II Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, two Overseas Service Bars, and the Cold War Recognition Certificate.