GREENVILLE, Mississippi - Robert Leo Koestler, 95, passed away peacefully in his home on March 8, 2026. Born on August 23, 1930 in Greenville, Robert was the son of Frank and Evelyn Koestler.
Robert graduated from Greenville High School in 1948 and enjoyed a robust variety of activities and sports, with football being his favorite. He spent two years at Ole Miss before leaving to proudly serve in the Army. He was stationed in Korea from 1951 – 1952, where he received a Bronze Star and an Air Medal for his bravery. After serving his country, Robert returned home to work in the family business, Koestler Tile Co, and was remembered by many for his meticulous attention to detail. Robert’s most memorable jobs during his many years of running Koestler Tile Co. ranged from oil rigs to college campus buildings, but the work he was most proud of was designing and building the WWII monument in downtown Greenville.
Robert married Betty Spiers of Osceola, Arkansas, in 1955, and shared 64 years of marriage before being parted by her death. They made Greenville their home and were active members of First United Methodist Church and avid supporters of their children’s sports and school activities. They were instrumental in founding Greenville Christian School, where their children Rak and Kay both attended.
For many years following the war, Robert maintained his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying with his son Rak and wife Betty. He enjoyed all things outdoors and spent much time at his hunting camp, Caulk Island. He particularly enjoyed turkey season but mostly enjoyed spending time in the woods and tinkering with anything mechanical he could find. Over many years of a re-forestation project at Caulk Island, he was able to successfully plant pine trees on a sandy Mississippi River bed. He also loved Ole Miss football and held season tickets for many years.
He is survived by his children Robert Alan “Rak” Koestler (Janna) of Greenville, and Kay Koestler Robbins (Bob) of Bellville, Texas; his grandchildren Elizabeth Koestler Buffington (Gerad) of Ridgeland, Leesa Marie Koestler Harris (Jackson) of Auburn, Alabama, Robert Alan “Rob” Koestler Jr. (Carlile) of Greenville, and Laurie Marie Robbins of Aledo, Texas; his great-grandchildren Mary Elliott Harris, Leo Koestler, Henry Harris, Betsy Buffington, Kate Koestler and Dottie Buffington; and his sisters Mary Evelyn Koestler Noell of Huntsville, Alabama, and Helen Koestler Jordan of Greenville. He is preceded in death by his wife Betty Spiers Koestler, his parents Frank and Evelyn Koestler, and his brothers Frank Rudolph Koestler Jr. and William Downing “Bill” Koestler.
A visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church in Greenville, on March 13, 2026 at 9:30 a.m., with a service following at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Greenville, as well as the graduate student scholarship fund established by his late wife to honor their granddaughters’ pursuits of graduate degrees. Memorials may be given to Delta Delta Delta Sorority Graduate Student scholarship endowments at University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655.
