LCSNW mourns death of former President/ CEO
(Photo, left) Former President and CEO Roberta Nestaas at an LCSNW fundraising event in 2005. (Photo, right) Roberta at her desk in Spokane more than 20 years earlier.
For nearly 40 years, Roberta Nestaas served Lutheran Community Services Northwest with distinction, starting as a sexual assault social worker in 1977 and retiring as President and CEO in 2014.
Roberta’s death in early September stirred the hearts and memories of those who worked with her. She is also fondly remembered by some who came later, including David Duea, LCSNW’s current CEO. David was hired to replace Roberta 10 years ago.
“I am so thankful for the legacy that Roberta left behind,” David said. “I would enjoy our lunches together. She was so generous with her time to help me know the historical context of the agency, which led to better decision-making. She was a champion of Health, Justice and Hope.”
Former colleagues recall how Roberta guided LCSNW through tumultuous times, such as the 9/11 terror attacks and the economic downturns of 2002 and 2008, which took a toll on social service programs.
She also was a strong leader during the merger of 2001, when LCSNW was formed out of two organizations: Lutheran Family Services of Oregon and Southwest Washington, and Lutheran Social Services of Washington and Idaho.
“When she retired in 2014, Roberta left her mark of vision and courageous leadership on an agency steeped in a legacy of service,” said Boots Winterstein, a former staff member and board member who compiled LCSNW’s Centennial history in 2021.
Jimmy Carter was U.S. President and disco music was king when Roberta was hired to work at our Spokane office in 1977. She supervised the Rape Crisis Network before being named Spokane District Director in 1980. Over the next two decades, she moved into various top leadership roles at the two Lutheran agencies that preceded the LCSNW merger in 2001.
Roberta could be a no-nonsense leader, recalled Dennis McGaughey, former Chief Operating Officer and Spokane District Director. Her disapproval of cell phone distractions at meetings was well known. But she also was a fun person, Dennis said, recalling a time when they sang Beatles songs together on a car trip to Central Oregon.
Roberta’s career path from front-line social worker in Spokane to higher levels of agency-wide responsibility is similar to that of Heike Lake, LCSNW’s current President and Chief Operating Officer.
“Roberta was always kind and generous to me,” Heike said. “I am so aware of how her many years of service to this organization and the communities we serve will ripple outward for many years to come.”
A funeral liturgy for Roberta is set for Nov. 8 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Seattle. To read her online obituary or sign a memorial guestbook, link here.
