Ullar "Whitey" Vester

April 04, 2022

Ullar "Whitey" Vester

Service Details

Ullar “Whitey” Vester, age 84, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 4, 2022 at his home in Des Moines.

Whitey was born September 24, 1937 to Karl and Regina (Lind) Vester in Jogeva, Estonia. His family emigrated to the United States on March 11, 1950. Whitey became a Naturalized United States citizen on June 13, 1956 in Putnam, Connecticut.

Whitey, along with his parents and siblings, escaped the Soviet invasion of Estonia in 1944. His father was a Soldier in the Russian Army from 1912-1914, and the Estonian Revolutionary Army from 1917-1918. After escaping, they lived at the Hanau Displaced Persons camp in Germany for five years until they were able to reach the shores of the United States of America.

Whitey was a 1956 Windham High School graduate in Willimantic, Connecticut. He received a Textile Dyeing and Finishing diploma from I.C.S. in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1961.

He was an innovative research and development textile chemist, responsible for chemical formulas that revolutionized the textile industry during his career.

Whitey was a devout man of faith, a loving father, and a student of history. He was an avid marksman, fisherman, athlete, outdoorsman, and one hell of a storyteller. He believed that all men are broken, and he was not above his convictions.

Whitey is survived by his sister Valve Uussala of Tallinn, Estonia, his son Karl Vester, his daughter Karen Vester, his daughter Christine (Fiscer) Vester and husband Jeramy Fiscer, his son Peter Vester and wife Sandy (Fulmer) Vester, his grandchildren Kaitlyn, Noah, Megan, Caleb, Lanie, Meyah, and Westin, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout the United States, Canada, and Estonia.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Lehte Vester, Auli Vester, and Lagle (Vester) Koiva.

Remember him. Honor him. Raise your glass to heaven, and toast (“Salud!”) to the memory of Ullar “Whitey” Vester.

Cremation will occur and there will be no formal services held at this time.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the National Association for Gun Rights.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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