Lester Leon Westling, Jr. has been an Episcopal priest for over a half a century. His vocation has encompassed years of parish ministries in California, missionary service in the Philippines, and as a Navy Chaplain. He volunteered for military service to serve in Vietnam, and spent two chaplaincy tours of duty in-country. First he served with the Third Marine Division medical and infantry battalions, then he returned as a circuit riding chaplain for 65 combat units throughout Mekong and Bassac River canals and along the Cambodian border. He served with the fleet and retired from naval service after 26 years with the rank of Captain. Among his many decorations, those awarded for combat include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Combat Aircrew Badge, and the Submarine Deterrent Patrol Pin.

Father, Westling is married with three adult children. He earned the postgraduate degrees of Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Pastoral Psychology, and Doctor of Ministry, and has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 1975. He belongs to a number of professional and veterans organizations, and is a Son of the American Revolution. His memoirs have been published under the title: All That Glitters: Memoirs of a Minister.