Walter Windsor Chaffee
May 13, 1931 – November 15, 2023
Walter Windsor Chaffee , a man who brought laughter and joy to family and friends has set sail on his final adventure. Known as Walt he was a beacon of light and a friend to many, always smiling and willing to lend a helping hand.
A Navy veteran of the Korean War and retired advertising executive with a treasure trove of tales from his time in the Navy, Walt loved to retell his favorite story – the daring rescue of a Navy pilot who ventured into Communist China’s air space just after the Korean War ended.
Chaffee was a young, new officer aboard the USS Arnold J. Isbell, a destroyer, which was cruising in the Formosa Strait when word came that a Navy Avenger had been shot down by the Chinese. “It was probably the very last action in the Korean War and one that went unreported,” he said. “That’s because the armistice had just been signed, and we didn’t need any incidents like that to stir things up.” The three-man crew of the Avenger was picked up by a Chinese patrol boat, and the men were turned over to the Isbell, which steamed to the scene.
Chaffee said the pilot was not only in shock over what had happened but got drunk when he was offered a cup of brandy by his rescuers.
Chaffee said the pilot literally fell down a ladder while being transferred to another ship. At the time, Chaffee said, the pilot was upset but later named his newborn daughter, Holly, after the Isbell’s captain, Cmdr. William Holly.
“I knew that because I had dinner with the pilot and his wife after we returned to base in San Diego,” he said. “My father served in the Navy in the Pacific right up to Iwo Jima, and he told me it would be a good idea to join up as soon as I could,” Chaffee said. So Chaffee attended boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Center near Chicago and then officer’s training school in Long Beach, California. He was a first lieutenant and assistant gunnery officer aboard the Isbell for three cruises in the far Pacific during the Korean War. He spent another 11 years in the Naval Reserves.
Born in Highland Park, Illinois, and educated at DePauw University and the University of Michigan. At DePauw, Walt was a three year letterman at starting guard/tackle on the Tigers Football Team.
Just days prior to passing Walt spent the day with his son, Tom, and daughter, Nancy, watching his beloved DePauw Tigers defeat arch rival Wabash Little Giants in double overtime to retain title to the Monon Bell! DePauw also finished the season 10-0 for the first time in school history. And with a Michigan victory over Penn State (Tom’s alma mater) he was especially satisfied.
He worked in food service marketing for advertising agencies and on the client side including J. Walter Thompson in Chicago, Ketchum Communications and HJ Heinz in Pittsburgh and Suter Foods in Sycamore, Illinois. He got to know Mansfield, which was part of his sale’s territory, while working for the Pillsbury Company in Minneapolis and Akron.
But it was his work with the Mansfield Rotary Club, the Mansfield Art Center, and the local Salvation Army Dewald Community Center that truly revealed his generous spirit and dedication to helping others.
Walt was a proud Eagle Scout and spent 25 years giving back to the Boy Scouts in his local community. He was also a dedicated Rotarian and devoted member of the Linden Road Presbyterian Church, alongside his beloved wife, Candice “Candy” Linden.
Walt met his first wife, Harriet, on a blind date in San Diego. They had four children: Katie Ferguson of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Thomas of Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania; Nancy Egly of Hilton Head, South Carolina; and Carol McClure of Monongahela, Pennsylvania. Walt was blessed with seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. On August 29, 1981, 42 years ago, he married Candice “Candy” Linden. Not too long after that, they came to Mansfield to buy a small advertising agency. Walt and Candy made a wonderful couple, working together, traveling often to see family and enjoying numerous friends. All will remember him fondly and keep his memory alive in their hearts.
Walt is survived by his wife of 42 years, Candy, his 4 children, Katie Ferguson of Baton Rouge, LA; Tom (Mary Kay) of Upper St. Clair, PA; Nancy Egly (Doug) of Hilton Head, SC; Carol McClure (Michael) of Monongahela, PA; 7 grandchildren, Erin, Darlene, Erica, Daniel, Michael, Cameron, Greg and 6 great grandchildren with a 7th on the way whose middle/last name will be “Walter Chaffee”.
In honor of Walt’s generosity and love for his community, the family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Mansfield Art Center, the local Salvation Army Dewald Community Center, the Boy Scouts of America and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Private services celebrating Walt’s life will be held in December. The service will be filled with laughter, reminiscing, and maybe even a few retellings of his favorite stories. Walt will be laid to rest in Sycamore, Illinois. The Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Chaffee family.
The family wishes to give special thanks to the many healthcare providers, especially the staff, nurses and caregivers at Wedgewood Estates and Gentiva Hospice, Ohio Health and Brethren Care Village.
As we remember Walt, let’s raise a glass in his honor, share our fondest memories, and celebrate the life of a man who left an indelible mark on everyone he met. Fair winds and following seas, Walt Chaffee – you will be dearly remembered and missed.
