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.
