Ralph Paul Chesluk, 92, of Nederland, Texas, died Monday, January 26,
2015. Ralph has gone to his everlasting home, to be forever with his God. He
was born in Kingston, Edwardsville, Pennsylvania on April 30, 1922, to John and
Stefania Chesluk. He attended public grade school in Edwardsville, Polish
Catholic School in Kingston, Pennsylvania and he graduated from Edwardsville
High School in 1940.
In June 1940, Ralph enlisted in the Army Air Corp and was initially assigned to
the 41st Reconnaissance Squadron in Langley Field, VA. He attended Casey Jones
School Of Aeronautics in Newark, N.J. In 1941, his squadron was transferred to
Gander, Newfoundland. After war was declared, Ralph flew as a flight engineer
on submarine patrol until he returned to the States and served at Roswell, New
Mexico. He spent six months at the Boeing plant in Seattle, Washington. In 1944
he was transferred to North Africa and Italy where he served as Flight
Engineer.
Ralph was discharged in August, 1943. Margaret Shamis and Ralph were married in
St. Hedwig’s Church, Kingston, PA. in December 1945. Ralph attended Penna
Military College which later became Widener College where in 1949 he received
his Bachelor Degree in Organic Chemistry. In June of 1952, he received his
doctorate degree in Organic Chemistry. He was employed by Texaco at Becon, N.Y.
in July 1952.
Ralph developed several of the additives Texaco began to manufacture at the new
additive plant in Port Arthur, Texas. He spent several months at Port Arthur
during the initial plant start up in 1957. In 1963 he was transferred to the
Port Arthur Research Center from which he retired in 1982.
Margaret preceded Ralph on the journey to heaven in 1998. They had been married
53 years.
Survivors include his daughter and her husband; three grandchildren, and two
great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters.
A graveside service for Mr. Chesluk was held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February
7, 2015. It included prayers by Fr. Jaison Jacob, Associate Pastor at Saint
Charles Church of Nederland (Ralph's church for 51 years), and a eulogy of
Ralph's life told by his grandson. Several of Ralph's friends eulogized him.
His remains were interred at Memory Gardens of Jefferson County, 3098 Highway
69 North, Nederland, under the direction of Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street,
Nederland.
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