Robert Lee Chester

Robert  Lee Chester (aka Chet or Lucky), 76, of Bangor died Thursday, December 26, 2013 at the Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born February 13, 1937 to William Alden and Mildred Estella (Thomas) Chester in Racine, Wisconsin. Chet worked as a mechanic and service manager for 45 years. He was last employed at Seelye Wright until retiring in 2001. Chet enjoyed fishing, hunting and having coffee with friends. He served his country in the United States Navy where he worked as an aviation mechanic and flew as a Hurricane Hunter.

He is preceded in death along with his parents by his wife Joan Chester,  who passed in January of 2010 and his two sisters – Ruth Mann and Mary Chester.

Robert is survived by his two daughters – Mary Beth (Miguel) Sanchez of Bangor and Diane (Paul) Bender of Covert; four grandchildren – Joseph Schulte, Amanda Ervin, Heather Keown, and Adrianna Sanchez; sister – Barbara (Denny) Niedlinger of New Troy and brother  William Chester of Stevensville.  Also surviving is his loyal canine companion, Molly.

An open house will take place on January 4th, 2014 at 210 S Center St., Bangor MI  from 4pm to 8pm. Contributions may be made in Chet’s memory to his family for memorial services or your local Veterans Hospital. Robert will be laid to rest at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI at a later date. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guestbook at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven, 637-0333.