Chase Sanborn Hunt

On Monday, December 1, 2025, Chase Sanborn Hunt passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior at the age of 95, surrounded by family who loved him. All who knew him will miss his gentle kindness, the twinkle in his eye, and his devotion to God and his family.

Chase was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 7, 1930, to George and Katherine (Rinehart) Hunt. The youngest of four siblings, he grew up in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. He was a proud graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and was a Penn Quaker through and through. He was an accomplished high school and college athlete, playing football, baseball, and track. He was especially proud of his time as captain of the Penn Sprint Football team and remained a loyal supporter throughout his life.

During the Korean War he proudly served his country, a duty he took seriously and with discipline, as an officer in the United States Air Force Limestone Strategic Air Command base in Limestone, Maine.

In 1954, he married his sweetheart, Suzanne Lois Mahn whom he met while at Penn. After a short role in sales, he answered the call to ministry and attained his Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey, with post-graduate work at New College, University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Chase had a distinguished career in ministry, serving The Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City and Drayton Avenue Presbyterian Church in Ferndale, Michigan before returning to Princeton to serve on the seminary staff in 1979. He also served as an interim minister at several churches. His listening skills, tender ways and guiding leadership helped many churches through difficult transitions. He enjoyed mentoring seminary students as they participated in various internships. Chase was a gentle and genteel man of the highest integrity. He was always dressed and ready to serve any who needed him. Chase and Sue came to East Lansing to be closer to family, moving from their long-time home in New Jersey, in 2016.

While a serious person when it came to the ministry, Chase had a mischievous streak and loved to play a good practical joke. He was also a consummate storyteller, often offering surprisingly long and fascinating tales of his family and his exploits. There are many tales to be told of his rogueries. He treasured the natural world, seeing beauty in all God’s handiwork. He especially loved the Silver Bay Association on Lake George in the Adirondack Mountains, where he served on the Board of Directors. Nothing pleased him more than his time rocking on the porch of Cherry Cottage with his extended family or a trip to the camp store for a donut (or two).

Music ran deep in Chase’s soul. He sang in the Penn Glee Club and had the amazing ability to play the piano by ear. He loved hymns and had many favorites. Any piano, any time inspired him to take up an old tune or hymn. Chase also loved to play his ukulele. He passed his love of music to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Most of all he loved his family. He adored Sue, his wife of nearly 71 years, his sons, and extended family. Sue was the light of his life. Nothing brought him greater pleasure than spending time with his family.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Sue; son, Robert (Lisa Bolton-Hunt), East Lansing; daughter-in-law, Joanne Hunt, Wilmington, Delaware, Gladys Hunt, Wilmington, Delaware; grandchildren, Alex Hunt (Laurie Stein), Libertyville, Illinois, Lindsay Hunt (Joe Bird), Valparaiso, Indiana, Hannah and Sarah Hunt, Wilmington, Delaware; and great-grandchildren, Felicity and Cecily Hunt Libertyville, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Grace McConnel, Marion Crewdson, and Constance Ulrich Kleinhofer, and by his son, David Sanborn Hunt.

A celebration of Chase’s life will take place on Monday Dec 29 at the Eastminister Presbyterian Church 1315 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823, with visitation with the family from 11:30 to12:30 followed by a service of commemoration at 12:30 pm. Interment of the ashes will take place in the spring in Princeton, New Jersey. on a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions in his memory to:

-Silver Bay YMCA Brookside Trinity Respite Fund (Silver Bay YMCA Attention: Development Office

87 Silver Bay Road Silver Bay, NY 12874: https://silverbay.org/donations/)

-Princeton Theological Seminary General Scholarship fund (https://giving.ptsem.edu/)

-the Greater Lansing Food Bank.