Chaffee, Arthur W.
He was a fourth generation San Buenaventuran, born in San Buenaventura on Dec. 1, 1922 to Grant Leslie Chaffee, Sr. and Lucille Veronica Booth Chaffee at the old Bard Hospital. His great-grandfather, Walter Scott Chaffee, came to Ventura in 1861. Walter S. Chaffee, first mayor of San Buenaventura, established the Chaffee, Gilbert and Bonestel Dry Goods Store in 1862, the oldest established department store in California, on the corner of Palm and Main Streets. His grandfather, Arthur Leslie Chaffee, ran the store until 1929. The store became the Ventura Department Store and at present there is a bank on location. Arthur’s eighth great-grandfather, Thomas Chaffee, came to Hingman, Mass. in 1637 from England. His fourth great-grandfather was Pablo Antonio de Cota, who was a soldier with the escort with Gaspar de Portola and Father Junipero Serra, helping with the construction of the Southern California missions. Arthur was a Los Californiano., Art Chaffee graduated from Oxnard High School in 1941. He lettered all four years and became captain of the tennis team. He joined the Navy after graduation. He trained in Norman, Okla. to be a machinist mate, re-building fighter aircraft engines (F4-U Hellcats, Wildcats and Corsairs) on Maui, Hawaii. He was attached to C.A.S.U. #32 (Carrier Aircraft Service Unit) on Maui. Before being stationed in Maui, Art was stationed in San Diego as part of the crew of a PB-Y Air-Sea Rescue plane., In addition to rebuilding aircraft engines, Art was part of the Shore Patrol for about a year and delivered mail over the island using a Harley Davidson motorcycle with a sidecar (due to his knowing how to drive a motorcycle he was volunteered through command to deliver mail). Upon discharge Art attended Ventura Junior College and Cal-Poly, San Luis Obispo., In July 1952, Art married Alicia Eugenia Fowler in Las Vegas, Nev. They were married for 57 years., Alongside his father, Grant Chaffee, and his borther, Grant Chaffee Jr., Art worked the Chaffee Ranch in Oxnard, located on Santa Clara Avenue near Saticoy. He had many fond memories of his days on the ranch., Art went on to work for Ratheon, Northrup and ABEX Corporation where he worked as a pump inspector supervisor. He was a master wiring technician and was involved in the wiring on one of the Apollo capsules. Art loved airplanes, aviation and cars. He enjoyed flying planes as well as building and flying model airplanes. He belonged to a model plane group in Ventura. In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, Art would have his R/C friends come out to the ranch and fly. He and his son, Terry, spent many happy hours building and flying model planes together., The Chaffee family enjoyed playing tennis. Along with his wife, Alicia, and son, Terry, he was an avid tennis player. He also volunteered his time for many years at the annual Ojai Tennis Tournament. Arthur W., Chaffee is survived by his wife, Alicia, of Ojai; son, Terry W. Chaffee, of Carlsbad; daughter, Kathy Chaffee of Ventura; stepsons, Ron Scott, of Redding, and Wayne Scott of Los Gatos; brother, Grant Chaffee, of Ventura; nephew, Scott Chaffee, of Ventura; niece, Sharon Ferro, of Oakview; granddaughter, Esther Ralston, of Chico, and other family members in California, Massachusetts and Washington., Art was well known in the county and had many friends. He will be missed greatly by those who knew him. The family would like to thank Dr. Halvorson, the staff of the Ojai Valley Hospital and Convalescent Hospital, and Livingston Hospice for their care, kindness and concern., Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 9 at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura, with Mr. Dan Tillotson of the Ojai Church of Christ officiating. Private interment will occur on a later date., Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, Ventura.
By legacy.com
