F. Stuart Chestnut

Published in The Tribune Star from 4/2/2009 - 4/4/2009

F. Stuart Chestnut, 81, formerly of Terre Haute, died Saturday, March 21, 2009, at his home in San Luis Obispo, Calif., surrounded by his family.

He was born in Terre Haute in 1927 and attended Indiana schools, graduating in 1945 from Garfield High School, where he played basketball.

He graduated from Indiana University and taught and coached in Honey Creek, Washington and Brazil High Schools. He and his wife (who preceded him in death in 1994),, Janet Elaine (Windley) Chestnut, moved the family to California in 1963 to teach and coach at California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo. He retired in 1992.

During World War II, he served as quartermaster in the U.S. Navy on the USS Oakland. He played baseball with the St. Louis Browns.

Stuart is survived by his six children, Lynn Chestnut, Melanie Leatherbury, Stephanie Borrill, Andy Chestnut, Vanita Mann and Kehrt Chestnut. He was a proud "Grandpa" to 17 grandchildren.

Also surviving are his cousins, Vanita (Ramey) Gibbs and husband Maver of Terre Haute, Nina (Ramey) Smith and husband Leo, Wanda (Ramey) Queirola, and Tom Ramey all of California, and William Ralph and Hugh Winslow of Indiana.

A celebration and memorial of his life was on Saturday, March 28 in San Luis Obispo. Anyone wishing to contact the family may do so by writing to Lynn Chestnut, 1306 Glines Ave., Santa Maria, CA, 93455.