R.I.P. Richard "Mac" McChesney
My grandmother, Billie Rosell, died in March 2008. Her younger sister, Betty, died a year or so later. That left their older brother, Richard, as the last remaining member of their family. He and I have communicated off and on for over 10 years. Mostly, we would discuss genealogy. Richard had done some extensive research into his family and he passed it along to me. I now have most, if not all, of the data he has collected over the years.
I never met Richard. He lived in Auburn, WA. I lived in TX. I was able to speak to him a couple of times. I suspect that he had me confused with my mom, Sharon, but it was nice to talk with him. The last time he called me was right after Grandma died. We talked of a variety of subjects, including more information about our genealogy. His emails had become more forwards of political rantings than of personal notes in the last few years.
On March 10th, his wife, Louise, sent an email to those of us on his mailing list to let us know that he had been taken to the hospital. On March 21, he was sent to rehab. Then on April 2nd, we found out that he had passed away. He was 88.
The reason for the outpouring today is that I received a package in the mail today from his wife, Louise. In the package was an embroidery that Grandma had done for Richard many years ago. The note enclosed read, "The enclosed was made by Billie. I thought you might like to have it." It is hard to make out on the picture but she stitched "Audubon" onto the train depot. That is the city in MN that she lived in. I spoke to my mom a little while ago and she said that she remembered Grandma stitching it.
This is his obituary.
Richard A. McChesney
Pearl Harbor Survivor Richard “Mac” McChesney passed away April 2, 2011 in Auburn. A man of tremendous kindness, energy and work ethic, Mac was born May 31, 1922 in Auburn to Richard D. and Clara Gaultier McChesney. Part of the Auburn HS class of 1941 he joined the US Army Air Corps at age 17. He was working as a switchboard operator at Schofield Barracks, Honolulu during the attack on December 7, 1941. Later he worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad and the Federal Aviation Administration. Mac was a life-long patriot and particularly proud of the US flag that stood in front of his home which he lowered to half-mast when the first US soldier died in the Iraq conflict. He made certain that his flag was at half-mast each day a US soldier died around the world in the hope that others would recognize the tragic consequences of war. Mac’s survivors include Louisa Bono McChesney, his wife of 61 years, son Richard G. (Jaclyn), daughter Kathleen (James Sheehan), two grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Special thanks to the cardiac nurses of the Veteran’s Hospital, Seattle, the physical therapists of Canterbury House, Auburn and the Multi-Care Good Samaritan Home Health and Hospice teams for their professional assistance and support. Friends are also invited to continue Mac’s joy of life on Saturday, April 9, from 1- 4 pm at the home of Richard G. and Jaclyn McChesney, in Buckley. Donations may be made to the Disabled Veterans.
I just wanted to remember him here.
I never met Richard. He lived in Auburn, WA. I lived in TX. I was able to speak to him a couple of times. I suspect that he had me confused with my mom, Sharon, but it was nice to talk with him. The last time he called me was right after Grandma died. We talked of a variety of subjects, including more information about our genealogy. His emails had become more forwards of political rantings than of personal notes in the last few years.
On March 10th, his wife, Louise, sent an email to those of us on his mailing list to let us know that he had been taken to the hospital. On March 21, he was sent to rehab. Then on April 2nd, we found out that he had passed away. He was 88.
The reason for the outpouring today is that I received a package in the mail today from his wife, Louise. In the package was an embroidery that Grandma had done for Richard many years ago. The note enclosed read, "The enclosed was made by Billie. I thought you might like to have it." It is hard to make out on the picture but she stitched "Audubon" onto the train depot. That is the city in MN that she lived in. I spoke to my mom a little while ago and she said that she remembered Grandma stitching it.
This is his obituary.
Richard A. McChesney
Pearl Harbor Survivor Richard “Mac” McChesney passed away April 2, 2011 in Auburn. A man of tremendous kindness, energy and work ethic, Mac was born May 31, 1922 in Auburn to Richard D. and Clara Gaultier McChesney. Part of the Auburn HS class of 1941 he joined the US Army Air Corps at age 17. He was working as a switchboard operator at Schofield Barracks, Honolulu during the attack on December 7, 1941. Later he worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad and the Federal Aviation Administration. Mac was a life-long patriot and particularly proud of the US flag that stood in front of his home which he lowered to half-mast when the first US soldier died in the Iraq conflict. He made certain that his flag was at half-mast each day a US soldier died around the world in the hope that others would recognize the tragic consequences of war. Mac’s survivors include Louisa Bono McChesney, his wife of 61 years, son Richard G. (Jaclyn), daughter Kathleen (James Sheehan), two grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Special thanks to the cardiac nurses of the Veteran’s Hospital, Seattle, the physical therapists of Canterbury House, Auburn and the Multi-Care Good Samaritan Home Health and Hospice teams for their professional assistance and support. Friends are also invited to continue Mac’s joy of life on Saturday, April 9, from 1- 4 pm at the home of Richard G. and Jaclyn McChesney, in Buckley. Donations may be made to the Disabled Veterans.
I just wanted to remember him here.