Robert "Squirrel" Lester

Robert Earl "Squirrel" Lester (August 16, 1942 – January 21, 2010) was an American singer and songwriter. Beginning his professional career in the late–1950s, Lester is best known as a founding member of the Chicago-based r&b/soul vocal group The Chi-Lites. Lester, a second tenor was apart of the group from 1960 until his death in 2010.

Biography Early life and education Born in McComb, Mississippi to Ann Hines, Lester first started singing with The Chanteurs which included Eugene Reccord at around age 14. The Chanteurs consistently competed with another group, the Desideros (in which Thompson and Jones were apart of) at south side talent shows, etc. Chi-Lites (1960-2009) In 1960, Lester along with Reccord became members of The Hi-Lites which were created when both groups; The Desideros and The Chanteurs decided to combine. Due to another group having the name Hi-Lites, The group later renamed themselves The Chi-Lites to reflect their hometown. As a member of the Chi-Lites, Lester helped the group obtain 11 top 20 r&b songs, including hits like "Have You Seen Her?" and "Oh, Girl". Lester performed all over the world in places such as Japan, Germany, Korea and Greenland. including the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City. In the later years, Lester was included in the Chi-Lites line-up, along with group leader Thompson, lead vocalist Frank Reed, and backing vocalist, Tara Thompson. Lester's last performance with the group was in August of 2009. Lester was inducted at the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Personal Life, Illness and Death Lester was married to singer Ruby Andrews at the time of his death. Lester had at least one child, but some sources claims he had nine children. Lester was diagnosed with liver cancer later in his life. On January 21, 2010, Lester died at Roseland Hospital in Chicago, Illinois after the long battle with liver cancer. He was 67 years old.