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Robert E. Chester © Enid News and Eagle 07-26-2014 Submitted by: Glenn
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January 27, 1926 - June 30, 2014
ENID, Okla. - Robert E. Chester, 88, peacefully passed away with his wife, Roma, holding his hand and surrounded by his children and their spouses on June 30, 2014. He died following a short illness stemming from congestive heart failure at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, N.C.
A memorial service officiated by the Rev. Lesly Broadbent will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 27, 2014, at Willow View United Methodist Church, 3525 W. Purdue Ave., in Enid.
Besides his children, Lance Chester and daughter-in-law, Susan of New Mexico, daughter, Lana and son-in-law, Steve Hendershott of North Carolina, he also is survived by his sister, Carolyn Summers of Tucson. He is survived by two nieces, Karen, married to Ken Tyra of Arizona, and Tarica Barker, residing in Illinois with husband, Ron. His grandson, Travis Hendershott and wife, Emily live in Virginia.
Robert entered this life on Jan. 27, 1926, in Enid, Okla., the son of Boyd A. and Lucile Williams Chester.
Although Robert had lived in Hendersonville, N.C., for the past two years, he still considered Enid his home because of deep roots and ties to the community.
At the age of 17 he accepted Christ as his Savior in the Methodist faith.
He grew up in Kremlin and graduated as high school president and salutatorian of the class of 1944.
He joined the Navy at 17, serving on a landing ship medium (LSM) near Okinawa, awaiting the invasion of Japan. After the Japanese surrender, his ship became port director inside Tientsin, China. When their drinking water froze at Seoul, he was ordered to Norman, Okla., for an honorable discharge. He remained deeply patriotic throughout his life.
After earning his associate's degree from Oklahoma State University, Robert joined OG&E and retired after 39 years as substation maintenance foreman, troubleshooting high-voltage equipment. His job gave him much satisfaction, although he admitted to not missing the night calls that pulled him from a warm bed to restore regional power during storms!
Bob, as he was known to many, married his sweetheart, Roma Siler, on Sept. 4, 1948. They met on Senior Day, when Roma attended the state fair with her friend, Bonnie English, and the girls ran into Bonnie s brother and his friend, Bob Chester. Because Bonnie and George were siblings, the bus driver allowed the girls to be driven home by the boys. Roma sat in the back seat with George and Bonnie sat in the front seat with Bob.
Afterwards Roma returned to school and Bob returned to the Navy. Several months later, Bob knocked on Roma's door and said, "Would you like to go for a ride?"
And in Roma's words, "We've been riding together ever since." They celebrated their 50th anniversary with a cruise to Alaska and last year celebrated 65 years of marriage in Hendersonville, N.C., with family members from New Mexico, Illinois, Virginia and Okla., along with new friends from Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community. Many family members and friends contributed to a memory book filled with favorite stories about the couple.
He enjoyed the Crusaders Sunday School class and singing bass in the choir at Willow View United Methodist Church. He often talked of singing harmony with his sister, Carolyn.
He loved his family, movies, travel, photography and especially steam engines. His father, Boyd, was a station agent for the Rock Island Railroad and that was the beginning of Bob s lifetime love of railroading. He developed a deep abiding passion for all things related to trains. He helped found the Railroad Museum of Oklahoma, located in the old freight depot on Washington Street, and devoted many hours to its development and maintenance as well as writing a monthly article for the newsletter titled 'Chester Rambles.'
He wanted to share his love of railroads with the next generation and enjoyed driving the little Meadowlake train in the 1980s, especially with grandson, Travis, on his lap. Later he enjoyed wearing his conductor s hat on the excursion train that ran between Enid and Okeene, doing any job to educate the public on the history of steam engines!
Robert has chosen Memorial Park Cemetery as his final resting place, next to his parents. His quick easy smile will be missed by his family and many in his church and community, but all can take comfort in knowing he lived a life filled with good times and love.
Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to a charity or organization of your choice.
Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors, located in Hendersonville, N.C., was in charge of the cremation and arrangements. An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.
(Submitted by family)
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