Chester Robert Szmyd

Chester “Chet” Robert Szmyd, 90, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2021 at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, CO. He was preceded in death by the one and only love of his life, wife Betty of 66 years, who died on June 12, 2019 at Centre Avenue Health & Rehab Facility in Fort Collins following a lengthy illness.

Chester was born on September 5, 1931 in Wilmerding, PA. The son of Polish immigrants, Chester was instilled with their work ethic, and was proud of his Polish heritage. He had two younger brothers, Edward and Donald. He enjoyed Polish cuisine (pierogi, galumpki), and even made and smoked kielbasa sausage. Chester loved freshly grown garden vegetables, and was especially fond of corn-on-the-cob.

Chester held various jobs growing up, including literally “working on the railroad.” He entered the University of Pittsburgh at the tender age of 16, and earned his BS degree in mechanical engineering. His first professional employment was with Shell Oil Company where he briefly was assigned to the fields of western Kansas. He paid a local woman to do his laundry, who had a daughter, Betty (Schwartz). Chester was invited to the Fourth of July family picnic, and it truly was “love at first sight.” He proposed marriage to Betty before leaving Kansas for another assignment 3 weeks later. They wed on February 12, 1952 in Hoisington, KS. Chester would say that was the happiest day of his life, with a close second being the day they renewed their wedding vows after 66 years of marriage shortly before Betty’s death.

Chester’s jobs took their ever-expanding family to Houston, TX, New Orleans, LA, Maracaibo, Venezuela, Tulsa, OK, Wichita, KS, and Rochester, NY before they settled in Fort Collins for the final half century of their lives. While in Wichita, Chester attended night school at Wichita State University, and earned his MS degree in mechanical engineering while Betty heroically managed the household and their six young children. As a fierce believer in the power and value of an education, Chester (and Betty) supported all six of their children through college in Colorado.

Chester was a resident of Fort Collins for 51 years, having relocated from Rochester, NY in 1970 as part of the start-up team for Eastman Kodak, Colorado Division, in Windsor, CO. He retired in 1991.

Chester valued time spent outdoors, and was always active in camping, hiking, backpacking, skiing, and taking his children wild asparagus picking, fossil hunting, and rock collecting. He loved the beauty of nature, and loved Colorado. One of Chester’s greatest pleasures was country dancing with his wife, Betty, which they continued until health issues stopped them near age 80. Chester remained committed to staying active until the time of his death. He worked out at a fitness center, on an exercise bike, and/or walked a minimum of one hour every day.

Chester loved his family and cherished the time he spent with his many children and grandchildren. He had a special gift with children, and loved creating new games, doing magic tricks, sneaking snacks, telling corny jokes, building forts, exploring nature, and entertaining the kids in his life. It was obvious he was a “kid at heart” around children.

Chester is survived by his six children: Bill (Audrey), Karen (David), David (Lynda), Morgan (Brad), Steve and Jeff (Krissa), twelve grandchildren (Patti 53, Brian 39, Jared 37, Rosie 29, Christine 28, Laurel 27, Kadie 27, Izzy 26, Calan 26, Matthew 23, and twins Delainy and Garrett 22), and five great-grandchildren (Cameron 27, Cody 20, Rylinn 16, Jensen 8, and Annie 7), as well as one brother (Don), and his partner (Don) in North Carolina.

A Celebration of Life gathering will take place at Resthaven Funeral Home & Memory Gardens on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Chester’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Nature Conservancy.