February 14, 1962 - September 13, 2020 Our Beloved Robert passed away unexpectedly on Sunday evening, September 13, 2020, in Dallas, Texas. There are no words to describe our grief and sense of loss. Robert was born on Valentine's Day in 1962, to Robert W. Collester, Jr., and Doris Faye Draege Collester, in Washington, D.C. Robert and his siblings grew up south of Chicago and shared many fond memories of his life there. Robert and his father were active in the Boy Scouts where Robert proudly obtained the rank of Eagle Scout. His troop was the very first troop to receive the wilderness survival merit badge, and he never tired of telling the story of being promised a chicken dinner at the end of their quest, only have several live roosters jump out of the trunk of a car for them to chase down for their chicken dinner. Robert's experiences in the Boy Scout and Eagle Scout Program gave him valuable experience and helped him gain leadership skills that would enhance his future. When he was 18, Robert enlisted in the Marine Corps where he excelled in marksmanship. Robert's platoon was one of the first to arrive after the bombing of the barracks in Beruit, Lebanon and was part of the rescue and recovery mission. Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the Marines, Robert embarked on a series of life adventures which included more schooling, owning his own businesses, living history events where he relished his role as a Mountain Man as well as celebrating his heritage by portraying an ancestor from the Scottish Highlands. His favorite role to play was that of Orin Porter Rockwell, a colorful character in Latter Day Saint history, who was the devoted and loyal friend of the Prophet Joseph Smith. In 1990, Robert met the love his life, Janet Hammond, at a Church function, but it would be another five years before they would get around to getting married. They were sealed for time and eternity in the Orlando Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on August 2, 1995. Together they shared many adventures and a love of life for 25 years. Robert loved his family and he loved the Lord. Recently he had been making plans to serve a mission with his wife, in addition to completing his education at Brigham Young University, Idaho. He had an understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ and loved to share it with anyone who would listen. Robert is survived by his broken hearted wife, Janet, his brothers, Bill Collester (Cheryl) and Alan Collester, his sisters, Catherine Putegnat (Matthew), Roseann Deem, Sarah Sanderson, and Michele Williams, his mother, Doris Collester, one daughter, Brandy Hunter *Phillip, grandchildren, Robert William Collester IV and Gavin Doss, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his father, Robert William Collester, Jr. In Robert's honor, he will be interred privately in the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery on Friday, October 2, 2020, with military honors. A public memorial will be held later that morning at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Garland 1st Ward, 10701 East Lake Highlands Drive, Dallas, Texas, 75218, at 11:00 a.m.