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Graham H. Chesnut Spearfish, SD QCWA # 29052 Chapter 102 |
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Graham Howard Chesnut
Sturgis, SD - May 28, 1926-June 6, 2018
Graham was born on May 28, 1926, in Saginaw Michigan. He spent his youth enjoying the beautiful outdoors and lake country with his parents Howard and Bernice (Graham) Chesnut and sisters, Joanne and Marilyn. After graduating from Marysville, Michigan High school, he served in the U.S. Navy during WWII in the South Pacific. When the war ended, he was assigned to Peking, China, where he helped repatriate Japanese. Following the war, he attended the University of Michigan and Ohio Northern University, graduating as a pharmacist.
His interest in medicine continued and he attended the Kirksville, Missouri School of Osteopathy, graduating with a Doctorate of Osteopathic medicine degree. He had a private medical practice in Auburn, Michigan, but his interest in the care of our nation's veterans lead Dr. Chesnut to work for the Veterans Administration Hospital in Chillicothe, Ohio. He later did his Residency in Psychiatry at the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas. After becoming a board certified psychiatrist, he and his family moved to Ft. Meade, SD, where he served as a staff Psychiatrist at Fort Meade Veterans Administration Medical Center from 1974 until his retirement.
He married Joyce Churchill in 1948, and they were blessed with three children, a son, David; and twin daughters, Cinda and Linda. He married Alma Sansom Hutchins in 1971, in Topeka, KS, which added four more children to the family- Susan, Alan, Nancy and Jill.
His interest in flying began in his youth. He loved nothing better than sharing a good cup of airport coffee with his fellow pilots. He was active in the Civil Air Patrol. He was a life-long member of the Shriners, and served as president of the Naja Air Patrol and Naja Flying Aces. He and Alma loved their time with the Rapid City Shrine Club and were always at events. Graham especially loved riding his mini-scooter in formation with his fellow Shriners in the annual parades! He was active for over 60 years with Masonic Organizations, holding many offices and positions of leadership. Graham and Alma were life-long members of the Sturgis Methodist Church and he especially enjoyed the early morning Men's Group breakfast, which he rarely missed. In addition, the Elk's Camping Group and National Camping Travelers (the Masonic camping group) brought them much joy, friendship, and wonderful memories of nearly 50 years of camping and doing community service in the Black Hills.
Another one of his many interests was working on electronics. He built his first radio as a teenager and belonged to the HAM radio group for over 70 years. Graham Howard Chesnut was an independent and self-contained man, who never met a gadget he didn't want to fix or build. To quote Graham: "You want to do something? Buy a book, read it, and accomplish the project."
Graham and Alma have spent many years researching Genealogy and this resulted in involvement in the Scot-Irish of the Black Hills organization. He and his wife traveled to Scotland and became official members of the Graham Clan. They were guests of the Duke of Montrose, a member of the Graham clan.
One of Graham's greatest honors was serving in the South Dakota National Guard. Rising to the rank of Colonel, he served 20 years as a flight surgeon.
The family, especially his wife, Alma, wish to express gratitude to the Hospice of the Northern Hills, Heartland Home Health, and to the staff of the V.A. Hospice Unit at Ft. Meade Veterans Administration Medical Center for their compassionate care of Graham in his last months.
Dr. Graham Howard Chesnut passed away after a long struggle with cancer on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at age 91 years.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chillicothegazette/obituary.aspx?n=graham-howard-chesnut&pid=189346480