Chester H. Bolen

Selkirk- Chester H. Bolen, Chet peacefully entered Heaven Saturday, Feb 12, 2022, at home in Selkirk, NY, with his family attending him. Chet was born on May 22, 1923 to Charles and Mary Bolen in North Tonawanda, NY. The second of three children, he spent many summers at his family's farm in Culpeper, VA. After graduation from high school in 1940, the family moved to Falls Church, VA, and Chet entered the University of Virginia. Earning a chemistry degree in 1943, he then joined the Navy during WWII. After a deployment to the Philippines, he returned to UVA to work on his master's degree. There he met his wife of 70 years, Joan Brubaker, at an InterVarsity Christian Fellowship prayer meeting. They married in 1947 and Chet began his 38-year career as a research chemist at Sterling Winthrop Research Institute in Rensselaer, NY. The growing Bolen family moved from Delmar to Selkirk in 1961. Chet was a long-time member of Pineview Community Church (Christian & Missionary Alliance), Albany, NY, where he enthusiastically served in the choir, as an elder, board member, and Sunday School teacher as well as in many other positions. Chet & Joan generously housed visiting speakers and musical groups and many who needed a place to call home.

Chet was known for his easy-going demeanor and calming presence. Even as he often worked multiple jobs to provide for his wife and 15 children, he served his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whenever the opportunity arose. He always put others before himself and was an excellent example of Christian discipleship and devotion. Chet was an avid gardener of ornamentals and vegetables, a passion he first developed on the family farm during the Depression. As necessitated, he was an electrician, mechanic, and plumber, and he enjoyed carpentry as a hobby. He also volunteered at several archeological sites in the Town of Bethlehem.

Chet was predeceased by his wife Joan, a son, John Lewis, and three daughters, Barbara Joan, Virginia "Ginny," and Mary Lou (Steve) Walker, and his brother Wallace (Rose) of Kansas City, MO. He is survived by his children, Bruce (Katrina), of Martinsville, VA, Nancy Brennan of Delmar, NY, Jill (Rance) Gregory of Slingerlands, NY, Bobby (Joanne) of Mesa, AZ, Jim (Pam) of Fredericksburg, VA, Missy (Kevin) McGrath of Forest, VA, Wally, of Nokesville, VA, Cathy (Bill) Gettys of Selkirk, NY, Rich (Lisa) of Columbia, SC, Chip (Loraine) of Fredericksburg, VA and Jennifer (Rob) Reimer of Congers, NY, 35 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandson, his sister, Roberta (Lee) Childs of Oakton, VA, his brother-in-law, Robert (Kitty) Brubaker of Lynchburg, VA, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Wycliffe.org/donate OR capitalcityrescuemission.org