Chester W. De Long

Chet was born in 1925 in Seattle, Washington, the son of Jim (an engineer) and Pauline (an artist) De Long. He grew up in Seattle and in Lynden, where his grandparents’ farm was located. When he was a teenager, his family moved to Fairbanks, Alaska. Chet completed his final year of high school at Fairbanks High School, graduating in 1941.

Chet’s subsequent education was greatly disrupted by the war. He was drafted into basic Naval training in Michigan and was sent to continue his college coursework at Marquette University so that he could attend medical school and become a Navy doctor. As a medical student at Washington University in St. Louis, Chet was entranced by his coursework in biochemistry. After WWII ended, he decided not to complete his medical degree, but to instead pursue a Ph.D. He finished his Bachelor of Science coursework at the University of Washington and undertook research work at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. He enrolled in the graduate program in Chemistry at the State College of Washington (now Washington State University) in Pullman, Washington. While at WSU, he met Carol June Witte, who was then earning a Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry. He completed his PhD work investigating penicillin biosynthesis in 1956.

Later that year, Chet and Carol married and Chet started a job as an analyst with the CIA. He worked there until 1967, when he moved to the Veterans Administration, working in (and soon leading) the Office of Academic Affairs, which supported the development of medical schools associated with VA hospitals, including the establishment of five new medical schools. Chet remained at the VA for the rest of his career, retiring in 1991.

Chet and Carol settled initially in Arlington, moving in 1960 to Falls Church, where they raised three daughters. They became active members of the Falls Church Presbyterian Church. Chet served as an elder and deacon and especially enjoyed serving on the organ selection committee when the church replaced its electronic instrument with a pipe organ. He also was active on educational issues in Falls Church, playing a significant role in the development of an International Baccalaureate program at the high school in the 1980s. He was tremendously proud of Carol’s leadership roles and accomplishments, enthusiastically cheering her on during her many years of service in Falls Church city government.

After his retirement, Chet supported the Mary Riley Styles Public Library in several ways, serving for over 25 years on the Library Board of Trustees as a board member and vice-chairman. He played key roles in planning and advocating for the library renovation and expansion project that began in March 2020, spearheading efforts to pass the library bond referendum that financed the project. He was also a founding member (and later financial officer and fundraiser) for the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Foundation, which provides annual assistance for library materials, services, programs and equipment. In addition to these leadership roles, he was a dedicated library volunteer, working up to 300 hours per year behind the scenes. In 2020 the Foundation established an annual award named in his honor to recognize a library staff member or volunteer who has shown the qualities of dedication and public service Chet exemplified. He was also named the Grand Marshal for the 40th Annual City of Falls Church Memorial Day Parade in 2022.

Throughout their 67-year marriage, Chet and Carol were avid supporters of the performing arts, subscribing to classical music concert series in Washington for many years. They also loved to travel and toured extensively in the United States and around the world. After Carol’s death in 2023, Chet moved to Chesterbrook Residences, where he celebrated his 100th birthday in 2025, surrounded by family and numerous friends. Chet quickly became a regular in the twice-weekly bridge club at Chesterbrook, continuing a life-long practice of good-humored but utterly merciless card-playing. Card games in the De Long family were often enjoyed with gin and tonics, and Chet taught his family and many of their friends how to mix the perfect G&T.

Chet is survived by three daughters: Leslie (Philip Duncan), Alison (John Sedivy), and Linda; and four grandchildren: Meredyth, Tyler (Dale Roehrig), Emma (Flo Vass), and Nico (Luke Waters).

A memorial service will be held on May 30 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Murphy Funeral Home in Falls Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Foundation.