David D. Chesak

David D. Chesak, 80, of Rensselaer, passed away Saturday, November 9, 2013 at his home. He was born on August 23, 1933, son of the late Joseph and Rose (Hulka) Chesak.

David graduated from San Pierre High School in 1951, as class Valedictorian. On September 10, 1956, at St. Augustine Catholic Church of Rensselaer he married Mary (Obermeyer) Chesak. David received his Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in 1958. He then went on to receive his Masters at the University of Louisville in 1965 and Doctorate of Electrical Engineering at Ohio University in Athens, in 1970. While achieving these degrees, David also was raising a family of six, had many crosses to bear, including the death of five children, four of whom died after birth, and one near birth. He also served his country for two years in the United States Army.

David made a career in education for 32 years with St. Joseph’s College. He was head of the Physics Department, taught Core and Engineering classes. He was a Fellow and had served on the Board of Trustees at the college. David received multiple faculty fellowship grants to research at private and governmental entities such as NASA at Johnson Space Center and Redstone Arsenal (under Dr. Wernher Von Braun), Edwards Air Force Base and Pensacola Naval Air Station.

David was involved in the Lions Club and was voted “Lion of the Year 2013”. He was also active in Boy Scouts, Holy Name Society, Newton-Jasper Community Band, Retired Iron Club, Men’s Bible Study, Drug Free Jasper County, and Science Olympiad. Science Olympiad involved multiple high schools around the region, and gave many students the ability to continue their scientific learning beyond the classroom. David was an advocate of physical well-being, paying close attention to both diet and exercise, including running marathons, and two mile daily hikes.

David will be remembered by his loving family: wife Mary Chesak of Rensselaer; children: David (Marcia) Chesak of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Lisa (Mike) Lamarra of Alexandria, Virginia; Don (Barbara) Chesak of Louisville, Kentucky; Lynne (Vadim) Udalov of Moscow, Russia; Lina (Robert) Liberace of Vienna, Virginia; Joe (Marianne) Chesak of Stavanger, Norway, twenty grandchildren, and three sisters: Rosalie (James) Obermeyer of Crown Point; Carole (Ralph) Tanner of Medaryville; and Ellen Chesak of Rensselaer. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, and one brother.

Friends may call on Friday, November 15, 2013, from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. (CST) at Steinke Funeral Home of Rensselaer, with a Lions Memorial Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. (CST) at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Don Davison officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested for Masses at St. Augustine Catholic Church of Rensselaer, within your own parish, or St. Joseph’s College Chapel Renovation (P.O. Box 870, Rensselaer, IN 47978). Steinke Funeral Home of Rensselaer is handling the arrangements. Share memories and condolences online at www.SteinkeFuneralHome.com.