Donald L. Chaffee, 88, the father of astronaut Roger B. Chaffee, who was killed in the Apollo I fire in 1967, died Oct. 24 at his home in Hinsdale.
Born in Greenville, Mich., Mr. Chaffee had lived in Washington Square in Hinsdale since 1995. Before that, he lived in Wyoming, Mich.
A retired commercial real estate broker, Mr. Chaffee was a barnstorming pilot during the 1930s. He also worked as a quality-control inspector for the U.S. Air Force during World War II and the Korean War.
"He had a Waco double-winged plane that he flew at fairs, doing acrobatics and taking people for rides," said his daughter, Donna Young.
"It was my father's passion for planes that first piqued Roger's interest in space. I remember them spending hours together at the dining room table building model planes and making sure they got each piece just right. They were always talking aviation."
Mr. Chaffee also was a published author. His works include "On Course to the Stars," his son's biography; "More Than Bread," "Indiana's Big Top"; and poetry books "My Creed," "Blossoms in the Dust" and "Pathway to the Stars."
"We've chosen his poem entitled "Good bye" to be used for his service," his daughter said.
The director of the Roger B. Chaffee Scholarship Fund, Mr. Chaffee dedicated his retirement years to making speeches to schoolchildren and civic groups emphasizing the benefits of the space program.
"Dad went all over the country talking about space to kids," Young said. "He made several visits to a school in Puerto Rico that was named after Roger. He never tired of talking about his son's contribution to the space program."
Other survivors include five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 7 at Cook Funeral Home, 4235 Prairie St. NW, Grandville, Mich.
(Chicago Tribune, October 31, 1998)
Born in Greenville, Mich., Mr. Chaffee had lived in Washington Square in Hinsdale since 1995. Before that, he lived in Wyoming, Mich.
A retired commercial real estate broker, Mr. Chaffee was a barnstorming pilot during the 1930s. He also worked as a quality-control inspector for the U.S. Air Force during World War II and the Korean War.
"He had a Waco double-winged plane that he flew at fairs, doing acrobatics and taking people for rides," said his daughter, Donna Young.
"It was my father's passion for planes that first piqued Roger's interest in space. I remember them spending hours together at the dining room table building model planes and making sure they got each piece just right. They were always talking aviation."
Mr. Chaffee also was a published author. His works include "On Course to the Stars," his son's biography; "More Than Bread," "Indiana's Big Top"; and poetry books "My Creed," "Blossoms in the Dust" and "Pathway to the Stars."
"We've chosen his poem entitled "Good bye" to be used for his service," his daughter said.
The director of the Roger B. Chaffee Scholarship Fund, Mr. Chaffee dedicated his retirement years to making speeches to schoolchildren and civic groups emphasizing the benefits of the space program.
"Dad went all over the country talking about space to kids," Young said. "He made several visits to a school in Puerto Rico that was named after Roger. He never tired of talking about his son's contribution to the space program."
Other survivors include five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 7 at Cook Funeral Home, 4235 Prairie St. NW, Grandville, Mich.
(Chicago Tribune, October 31, 1998)
Donald L. Chaffee, 88, the father of astronaut Roger B. Chaffee, who was killed in the Apollo I fire in 1967, died Oct. 24 at his home in Hinsdale.
Born in Greenville, Mich., Mr. Chaffee had lived in Washington Square in Hinsdale since 1995. Before that, he lived in Wyoming, Mich.
A retired commercial real estate broker, Mr. Chaffee was a barnstorming pilot during the 1930s. He also worked as a quality-control inspector for the U.S. Air Force during World War II and the Korean War.
"He had a Waco double-winged plane that he flew at fairs, doing acrobatics and taking people for rides," said his daughter, Donna Young.
"It was my father's passion for planes that first piqued Roger's interest in space. I remember them spending hours together at the dining room table building model planes and making sure they got each piece just right. They were always talking aviation."
Mr. Chaffee also was a published author. His works include "On Course to the Stars," his son's biography; "More Than Bread," "Indiana's Big Top"; and poetry books "My Creed," "Blossoms in the Dust" and "Pathway to the Stars."
"We've chosen his poem entitled "Good bye" to be used for his service," his daughter said.
The director of the Roger B. Chaffee Scholarship Fund, Mr. Chaffee dedicated his retirement years to making speeches to schoolchildren and civic groups emphasizing the benefits of the space program.
"Dad went all over the country talking about space to kids," Young said. "He made several visits to a school in Puerto Rico that was named after Roger. He never tired of talking about his son's contribution to the space program."
Other survivors include five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 7 at Cook Funeral Home, 4235 Prairie St. NW, Grandville, Mich.
(Chicago Tribune, October 31, 1998)
Born in Greenville, Mich., Mr. Chaffee had lived in Washington Square in Hinsdale since 1995. Before that, he lived in Wyoming, Mich.
A retired commercial real estate broker, Mr. Chaffee was a barnstorming pilot during the 1930s. He also worked as a quality-control inspector for the U.S. Air Force during World War II and the Korean War.
"He had a Waco double-winged plane that he flew at fairs, doing acrobatics and taking people for rides," said his daughter, Donna Young.
"It was my father's passion for planes that first piqued Roger's interest in space. I remember them spending hours together at the dining room table building model planes and making sure they got each piece just right. They were always talking aviation."
Mr. Chaffee also was a published author. His works include "On Course to the Stars," his son's biography; "More Than Bread," "Indiana's Big Top"; and poetry books "My Creed," "Blossoms in the Dust" and "Pathway to the Stars."
"We've chosen his poem entitled "Good bye" to be used for his service," his daughter said.
The director of the Roger B. Chaffee Scholarship Fund, Mr. Chaffee dedicated his retirement years to making speeches to schoolchildren and civic groups emphasizing the benefits of the space program.
"Dad went all over the country talking about space to kids," Young said. "He made several visits to a school in Puerto Rico that was named after Roger. He never tired of talking about his son's contribution to the space program."
Other survivors include five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 7 at Cook Funeral Home, 4235 Prairie St. NW, Grandville, Mich.
(Chicago Tribune, October 31, 1998)
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