Dr. Harold F Chambers Jr.

Born on January 29, 1941, in Cohoes, NY, he was the only child of the late Harold and Lorrie (Lindsey) Chambers Senior. Raised in the Dutch Reformed Church, he began his academics in a one-room schoolhouse (which was heated only by a coal burning stove) with a dozen or so students, ultimately matriculating with a PhD from The Ohio State University.

Harold joined the University of Cincinnati's five-year co-op program in 1958 to study Aeronautical Engineering and went to work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in advanced air-breathing (ramjet/scramjet) propulsion research. During the work study program he spent a summer assisting in the initial climatic weather testing of the Chinook helicopter at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. While living, raising a young family, and working in Dayton Ohio he completed his PhD in Aerospace Engineering. During his career he also toured the SAC wing, a few top secret nuclear facilities, saw the loaded and ready B-52’s, and watched the XB-70 fly into Wright-Patterson to be placed in the Air Force Museum. And even met Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

In 1974 Harold and his family moved to Pittsburgh where he spent the next 27 years working at the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory conducting research in coal gasification and liquefaction, advanced electrical power generation, and the production of hydrogen. He also worked on the largest coal-to-oil pilot plant in the US and was the National Field Manager for the magnetohydrodynamics electric power generation program.

After retiring in 2001 he and Helen moved to Westerville Ohio to be closer to family. Harold enjoyed gardening, reading, and traveling, including several trips to Europe and a memorable cruise through Alaska. He also taught Advanced Propulsion and thermodynamics classes as an adjunct professor in the Aero Department at OSU.

Above all Harold loved his family. He was very involved in the lives of his children and with them enjoyed camping, Indian Guides and Princesses, Boy Scouts, and the high school marching band boosters, even serving as its president for one year. He was an avid Steelers fan watching them march to four Super Bowl titles from the comfort of the basement in their Bethel Park home. Later in life he loved spending time with his grandson Connor who called him “grandpa rocket.”

His kind and gentle spirit shone through all he did and was apparent to all who met him. As he faced increasingly difficult health challenges every caregiver had the same comment, “he is so sweet.” He was universally loved and professionally respected and set a powerful example of how to live one's life right.

Harold is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Helen (Langdon) Chambers. And by his loving children: Harold the III, Trina (Eric Snyder) Chambers, Elizabeth (Donn) Rathburn, grandson Connor Rathburn, and numerous extended family and close friends.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 7, from 4 to 6 PM at the Schoedinger Worthington Funeral Home, 6699 North High St., Worthington, OH. His Funeral will be held on Wednesday, January 8, 11 AM at Central College Presbyterian Church, 975 South Sunbury Road, Westerville, OH. Luncheon at the church to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Harold’s memory to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, 3960 Brookham Drive, Grove City, OH 43123 or https://give.mofc.org.

May he rest easy.