Meet Lester Bankert, a longtime firefighter with HAVFR! Lester was the Hose Director many years ago and most recently held the office of Fire Police Lieutenant.

Lester has lived all of his 81 years in Hanover. His career began 63 years ago at the Pennville Station, then the Grangeville Station and finally the Parkville Station (named the Clover Lane Station today).

Lester and his wife Margaret "Peggy" have 3 children, 2 sons and a daughter. All three served in the volunteer fire service along with mom and dad. Additionally, they have 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. At least one grandson followed into the footsteps of the family by volunteering in the fire service. Peggy also served as a volunteer in the fire department and assisted in many of the company functions, such as bingo, dinners and carnival activities along with Lester. 

In his free time, Lester enjoys bowling in company leagues and spending time with his extended family.

Lester served with honor and determination to make this company succeed, and we truly thank Lester, Peggy and the entire Bankert family for the many years of dedicated service to the his community.