From a contemporary press report:
Lester Patrick Condon, 75, a former assistant secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development who retired in 1981 after nine years as executive vice president for management and operations of the Federal National Mortgage Association, died of pulmonary fibrosis March 18, 1998 at his home in Sarasota, Florida. He also had a home in Alexandria.
Mr. Condon was a native of New Rochelle, New York, and a graduate of Providence College. He attended Georgetown University law school.
He served in the Navy in the Pacific during World War II and received a Purple Heart.
Mr. Condon began his federal career in 1947 as an FBI agent and went to work four years later as a congressional investigator.
Mr. Condon was director of surveys and investigations for the House Government Operations Committee and then went to work at the Housing and Home Finance Agency.
He was deputy commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration in the early 1960s, inspector general of the Agriculture Department until 1969 and assistant HUD secretary under Secretary George Romney.
His honors included a Distinguished Service Award.
Mr. Condon was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community in Alexandria, American Legion and the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 52 years, Vera Condon of Sarasota and Alexandria; five children; and 11 grandchildren.
CONDON, LESTER PATRICK (Age 75)
On March 18, 1998, of Sarasota, FL and Alexandria, VA, beloved husband Vera Condon; father of Thomas J. Condon of Clifton, VA, John K. Condon of Austin, TX, Leslie Tharp of Columbia, MD, Marietta Condon of Alexandria, VA and Lisa Sullivan of Briarcliff Manor, NY. Also survived by 11 grandchildren. Funeral service, Monday, April 13, 10:45 a.m., Ft. Myer Chapel, followed by interment in Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the CDLS, (Cornelia De Lange Syndrome Foundation), 302 West Main St., Suite 100, Avon, CT 06001-3681 or to the Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.
Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard