Kenneth R Chidester

Kenneth Ray Chidester, 96, passed away on July 31, 2016, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Born on October 13, 1919, to Hazel Pearce Chidester and Don Carlos Chidester in Twin Falls, Idaho, he was the fifth of 6 children. Ken had a wonderful childhood due to the loving care of his dear single mother. After high school, Ken managed a grocery store until World War II broke out in 1941. He joined the Army Air Corps and became a B-29 bomber pilot as a 2ND Lieutenant. While attending an advanced bomber training school at a base near Hays, Kansas, he met the love of his life, and married Florine ‘Rene’ Pfannenstiel on Halloween Day in 1944.

After pilot training, Ken and his B-29 crew were stationed on an island in the South Pacific where he flew 38 bombing missions. On his first bomb run, his plane received enemy flak to the fuel line and they were forced to ditch in the Pacific Ocean in Japanese waters. Although he was injured, he rescued some of his crew and earned the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal.

After the war, Ken and Rene started their family in Buhl, Idaho, but soon moved to Salt Lake, then to Hutchinson, Kansas, then back to Salt Lake City, where Ken sold automobiles and eventually began a successful career in real estate (Chidester Realtor). Ken had many friends and earned the respect of real estate professionals throughout Utah, serving on the Board of Realtors for many years.

Ken and Rene loved to golf and joined Willow Creek Country Club during its initial construction, and remained active life-long members. Ken served several terms on the board which included a term as President. For many years, Ken enjoyed golfing with the 10:00 group at Willow Creek.

Ken developed Alzheimer’s in 2005 which quickly progressed. His second home for the past 5+ years has been the William E. Christoffersen SL Veterans Nursing Home. The family expresses its deep, heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Veterans Home Memory Care Unit who took such excellent, loving, and respectful care of Ken.

Ken was preceded in death by his 5 brothers and sisters, and his son-in-law, Gary Lynn Bengtzen.

He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Rene Pfannenstiel Chidester and three children: Kelly (Ginny) Chidester, Raynee (Gary, deceased) Bengtzen, and Kathy (Jeff) Kjar; and 55 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ken always said, “They are all very special!”

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August, 6, 2016. A viewing will be held Friday evening, August 5, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., and Saturday morning, August 6, from 9:00-10:15 a.m.—each event will be held at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary. Interment will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City.

Thank you Dad for the love, the example and the legacy you have left us. Our love for you will continue to increase as we remember all the good you accomplished on this earth. We will think of you often, and you will be in our hearts at every family gathering.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Salt Lake Veterans Home, (Memory Care Unit), 700 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84148.

____________________________________________________________