A native of New York, he was the son of the late Robert Fuller Lesher and Elizabeth Gordon MacDonald Lesher Foss. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a fighter pilot. He was a publisher and self-employed commercial real estate professional. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Raleigh. He was preceded in death by a son, Joel Lesher.

Survivors include his wife, Gloria Lesher; and three children, David R. Lesher, Lea W. Arabia and Julie G. Allison; one step-daughter, Stephanie Geraghty; one brother, Ned Foss; and one sister, Anne Foss.

Funeral services were held Saturday morning at Christ Episcopal Church in Raleigh.

Memorials may be made to Alpha-1 Foundation, Attn: Development Office, 2937 SW 27th Ave., Suite 302, Miami, FL, 33133.

L. Harold Poole Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.