Mr. Eldon L. Chandler, 85, of Emmett, Idaho, left the arms of his family and the hand of his wife and was welcomed into the arms of our Lord on November 14, 2021.
Eldon Chandler was born on February 28, 1936 in Manhattan, Kansas to Earl and Mildred Chandler. Growing up a Kansas farm boy, his family moved around frequently for work. In 1941, his father was granted an exemption from the World War II draft due to his marriage and dependent children while working in the agricultural field. In January of 1945, his father's draft deferment status changed and he was scheduled to leave in April. At the last moment, his enlistment ended up being indefinitely deferred so when the war in Europe ended in May of 1945, his father did not have to leave. There were two uncles that survived the war and said to their last days, "THANK GOD FOR HARRY TRUMAN."
In 1954, Eldon join the Naval Reserve unit and went to boot camp in Great Lake, IL. He graduated from Washburn Rural High School in 1955 and in April of 1957, he went on to join the Air Force. He was considered to be the "Hot Shot" electrician for the Strategic Air Command. In 1961, he was the only electrician chosen to be sent as part the team to support the "Thunderbirds" on their goodwill tour of Peru and Chile in South America. His favorite plane to work on was the B-47. He designed a modification to insure no delay time in launch of B-47 type aircraft, using the generator wings as a starter in the event the main starter has a malfunction. Per Commander Harshman, "His modification is safe and dependable to the extent that an aircraft commander basically has two starting systems for each engine." On March 3, 1962, a B-47 was scheduled for a sortie (an operational flight by one aircraft) and was unable to get rotation on all six engines. Colonel Dinwiddle found Eldon to get the plane started. Eldon said that it could be started but it would be in violation of existing tech data; he was told to "start it." Eldon had it running in ten minutes and the plane made its mission. Colonel Dinwiddle then took Eldon to meet Colonel McPherson, the Wing Commander, and told him, "Here is the Airman who did what all of the others said could not be done." Colonel McPherson then took Eldon to meet General Catton and told him the same thing. His incredible talent on advanced electrical systems of all planes and trouble-shooting abilities were vital during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War. During his career, he continued to receive numerous achievement awards, letters of appreciation, letters of outstanding performance, Airman of the Quarter Award, nominations for Airman of the Year and Commendation Medals. In 1969, Eldon trained to be a technical instructor, eventually earning the title of Master Instructor and finished his distinguished career teaching and making history along the way. His teaching skills were second to none and his students tested so well that cheating was assumed. Random new tests were developed for his students and they all tested above 97%. He was never questioned again about his teaching methods. Master Sergeant Eldon L. Chandler retired in 1977 in Mountain Home, Idaho.
One of the best things to happen in his life was in March of 1960 when found his "very best friend," Marjorie Wiggin on a blind date. Two weeks later, he asked for her hand in marriage and six weeks later, they were married on May 1, 1960 and purchased their first home in Kittery Point, ME. Their son, Eric arrived in 1966; their daughter, Laura, arrived in 1968; another son, Glenn, arrived in 1969 and their youngest daughter, Ellen, arrived in 1972.
After retiring in 1977, Eldon moved his family to Arizona for four years. In 1981, Eldon moved his family back to Idaho for good. He was hired by Boise State University in custodial services and was promoted throughout his second career, using the same skills he used while serving in the Air Force. He retired in 1999 as the Hazardous Waste Compliance Supervisor and Risk Management Supervisor. He was very well respected.
Eldon was an extremely dedicated and devoted husband, father and friend. When the kids were young, Eldon and Marjorie purchased land in the mountains and spent several years camping on the weekends. The kids had three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and many friends that tagged along and would only come back to camp to eat and sleep. Eldon and Marjorie spent their time enjoying the peace and quiet while watching the wildlife and visiting with lifelong friends, the Kraemers and the Roachs. Eldon and Marjorie retired to those mountains in Idaho and spent several years enjoying each other and the elk, deer, bears, turkeys and hummingbirds. In 2006, they moved to Emmett, Idaho and traveled back east often to visit family and friends. While Glenn remained Boise, Ellen moved to Emmett in 2009 and Laura moved to Poland in 2017. Ellen and her daughter, Marjorie Dehlin, continue to care for his best friend and love of his life, Marjorie Chandler, in Emmett, Idaho.
Eldon was a great friend to all, a great mentor to many, a loving and generous father, and a role model and grandfather to the lucky few. He set his expectations high and we have lived up to them. It has been an honor and privilege to have been raised by this man. He will be greatly missed and apart from God, those of us left behind will be weaker without him. We look forward to that day when we will again join our much loved husband, father, grandfather and truest friend in heaven.
Eldon is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marjorie Chandler; daughter Laura and Pete Simon; son Glenn and Penny Chandler; daughter Ellen and Eric Bates; grandsons Peter Simon and Justin Chandler; granddaughters Kaleila Berglund and Marjorie Dehlin.
In respect of his wishes, there will be a private ceremony on December 2nd, 2021 where he will be honored by the Air Force, his country and his family for his service to us all.