Chester "Chet" Rogers

Chester A. Rogers, 99, passed away on September 17, 2014, of natural causes.Born in Lewistown July 30, 1915 to Charles Archie and Lena Corbly Rogers, Chester (Chet) Rogers lived on various ranches in the Lewistown area until moving to Musselshell in 1926. Rusty, as he was known, graduated from Musselshell High School in 1933 where he played basketball and was a member of the new FFA chapter. He won the FFA state oratory contest in 1932 and 1933 and traveled to Salt Lake City for the regional convention. After graduation, Chet worked construction jobs from Montana to New Mexico riding the rails from job to jobhis hobo years. He loved to challenge himself and learn new jobs and skills, which came in handy when he was hired by the University of California/U.S. War Department to setup and work their production shop. During WWII, Chets talents were put to work to help build many innovative devices, such as a depth charge instrument, guided torpedoes, and SONAR equipment that helped clear the English Channel of U-boats, allowing the invasion of France to succeed. The designs for these new devices were so far reaching that he was only given blueprints and asked to build something like this? Because of his talent for making anything, Chet not only received a Presidential Deferment when an attempt to draft him was made towards the end of the war, but also received Presidential Commendations.Chet divided his time between San Diego and Montana. His family had moved to the Big Horn Valley and in 1945, he met Helen Huntington in Hardin. They were married in 1946, and spent one year in San Diego before returning to Hardin where their two daughters were born. They moved back to San Diego in 1951, where Chet continued to work as a precision tool and die and instrument maker starting his own business, Universal Specialties. After moving to La Verkin, Utah in 1973, they returned to San Diego in 1978 where he managed Certified Metal Craft for his longtime friends Bob and Jean Wiederkehr. Retiring from his two part time jobs in 1995, he and Helen divided their time between San Diego and Great Falls until 2004 when they moved to Great Falls and Chet set up his shop.While retirement brought a chance to travel to Australia, Hawaii, Alaska and the east coast and watch grandchildren grow up. Chet was happiest working in his shop. He traded precision metal work for woodworking and continued to make remarkable pieces for friends and family. His clocks are cherished by many.Chet was a 50 year member of: San Diego Lodge #35 and Past Master; KCCH Scottish Rite; and Eastern Star. He was also a member of York Rite, Hassan Grotto, and the Elks Lodge. He respected perfect ritual and assisted whenever asked.He is survived by Helen, his wife of 68 years, and daughters Cheryl (John) Bobbitt of San Diego, CA and Bonnie (Myrl) Nardinger of Great Falls; 7 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law AnnaBelle Rogers of Hardin, Velda (Gordon) Bice of Antelope Valley, AZ, Carol Hurley of Peculiar, MO, and Karen Huntington of Post Falls, ID; and numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by 3 brothers and 1 sister.His funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the Scottish Rite Temple, 1304 13th St S, in Great Falls with a reception following.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scottish Rite Language Disorders Clinic or Peace Hospice, 1101 26th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405.