October 12, 2020

It is with deep sorrow that I am letting you know of the sad passing of Lester (Les) Zidel, 74, of Herndon died on October 9, 2020. Les was the driving force for the arts in the Town of Herndon. The arts and making them come alive in the Town remained Les's life passion for nearly 40 years. He would pop in on his scooter to see us in Arts Herndon on a very regular basis. A few weeks ago, he came in to watch live streaming of Friday Night Live (and loved the lighting, of course!), and he sent me a note to wish us all well as we embarked on our first in-person, outdoor, socially distanced production 'A Mid-Social Night's Distance.' Les was adamant about the Arts being a big part of the Herndon Community - and we strive to follow his mission.

He was born in Redding, California, the son of Mischel & Esther Zidel. Les was educated in Malden, Massachusetts, and later attended Boston University. He graduated from Wisconsin University in 1968, where he received a degree in Political Science. At Wisconsin, Les was very active in politics and student government.

Les loved his adopted hometown of Herndon, Virginia. With unwavering and selfless acts, Les served to make the Town the best it could be. Highlighting the many recognitions for his remarkable achievements, Les received the following awards, Rotarian of the Year 1987, Herndon Chamber of Commerce Business Citizen of the Year 1992, Town of Herndon Distinguished Volunteer 2010, and Herndon Community Cultural Arts Center Citizens' Advisory. Les received multiple proclamations, among them the Town of Herndon Proclamation 2016, for his essential service on the Herndon Festival Executive Committee and Festival's development, execution, and growth. 

He co-founded Herndon Foundation for the Cultural Arts, with Richard Downer and Melody Fetske, in 2003, which later merged to form Arts Herndon. Les founded Elden Street Players in 1988, a community theatre company that later became known as NextStop Theatre Company. Les served as an executive board member for each nonprofit organization and volunteered thousands of hours between the two organizations.

We are honored and humbled to know his family arranged for memorial gifts in Les Zidel's memory be made to Arts Herndon, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, EIN 52-1432391. Visit  https://artsherndon.org/donate-arts-herndon to donate.

Arrangements will be announced at a later date when loved ones and friends can safely gather. Les loved everyone he met, and his smile and rich, deep voice will be missed.