Résumé

Architect, Thornton Fitzhugh, Architect, Phoenix, AZ, 09/01/1908-c. 1909.

Principal, Royal W. Lescher, Architect, Phoenix, AZ, c. 1910-1913.

Partner, Lescher and Kibbey, Architects, Phoenix, AZ, 1913-1917.

Partner, Lescher, Kibbey and Mahoney, Architects, Phoenix, AZ, 1917-1922.

Partner, Lescher and Mahoney, Architects, Phoenix, AZ, 1922-

Professional Activities

Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA).

College

B.S., Civil Engineering, Throop Polytechnic Institute, Pasadena, CA, 1902.

Relocation

Royal William Lescher was born in Galesburg, IL, on 08/12/1883. His family relocated to Carpinteria, CA, near Santa Barbara, when Royal was young.

The New York State Census of 1905 found Lescher living with his in-laws, Christian R. and Catherine Bosche, in Buffalo, NY's Allentown neighborhood. The Bosches lived at at 167 Park Street with their son Robert, two daughters Ester and Alyse, son-in-law, and a servant, Tilley Tiedman ,(born c. 1886 in Germany). The NY Census indicated that Lescher worked as a civil engineer at the time. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1905; Election District: E.D. 02; City: Buffalo Ward 21; County: Erie; Page: 8, accessed 01/09/2024.)

On 04/05/1942, Lescher resided at 18 West Palm Lane in Phoenix, AZ.

The architect passed away from a cerebral vascular occlusion (plaque clogging all or some of the four carotid arteries) at Saint Joseph Hospital in Phoenix, according to this death certificate. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Arizona Department of Health Services; Phoenix, AZ; Arizona Genealogy Birth and Death Certificates, accessed 01/09/2024.) He was buried at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, Santa Barbara, CA.

Biographical Notes

On 02/11/1919, Lescher applied for a US passport to enable him to make a journey to the States of Sonora and Sinaloa in Mexico, to "Investigate business conditions." Travel in Mexico was likely still hazardous at this time, as his trip occurred about two years after General John Pershing's Mexican Expedition of 03/1916 until 01/1917 against Pancho Villa and his troops. A typed note on his passport form stated, "Suggest, however, that he [Lescher] keep in touch with American Consular officers in Sonora and Sinaloa with the view to ascertaining condtions of travel." (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; NARA Series: Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925; Roll #: 709; Volume #: Roll 0709 - Certificates: 65500-65749, 24 Feb 1919-24 Feb 1919, accessed 01/09/2024.)