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Chester Albert Schink ’41

A picture of Chester Schink

Chester Albert Schink ’41, November 22, 2013, in Portland, following a short illness. Born and raised in Portland, Chet came to ºìÌÒÊÓƵ, where he earned a BA in chemistry. He went on to complete a master’s degree in biochemistry from Oregon State College (University), and was recruited for service in World War II by the Hercules Power Company in Washington, D.C. He also served at Radford Ordnance Works. Following the war, he returned to Oregon State, where he completed a PhD in organic chemistry, and where, on a blind date, he met Hannah Johnson. “Her willingness to type his PhD dissertation convinced him that he’d met the right girl.” The couple married in 1947 and moved to New Jersey, where Chet worked for the DuPont Company in their research and development office. In 1951, Chet and Hannah and their children returned to Oregon. He was employed with Krishell Laboratories, a small agricultural chemical company that did research on antitumor agents and heterocyclic and other biochemical compounds. In 1956, he began a 30-year career at Tektronix, where he managed the electrochemical laboratory, developed a company-wide chemical safety system, and was a leader in worker safety. He was a member of the American Chemical Society and a founding member of the Portland Section. He also taught general and organic chemistry at Mt. Hood Community College. Colleagues greatly respected Chet for his integrity and support; his wealth of knowledge, generously shared; and his practical insights, humor, and wisdom. Chet is also remembered as a patient, determined, and compassionate individual. He loved to travel and he achieved a lifelong goal of visiting all 50 states; he and Hannah also traveled to western Europe, Scandinavia, and Australia, and cruised the Mediterranean. A great conversationalist, and loyal to friends and family, Chet maintained strong friendships throughout his life. He gardened and enjoyed community activities, including a longstanding role with the Masons and as a volunteer with the Boy Scouts, 4-H, DeMolay, and Job’s Daughters. He also was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church. In retirement, Chet used his keen interest in history to volunteer for the Portland-based Urban Tour Group, a nonprofit providing historical tours of Portland for schoolchildren. Chet and Hannah established the Chester and Hannah Schink Science Book Fund at ºìÌÒÊÓƵ. Survivors include Hannah, a daughter and son, one granddaughter, and two great-granddaughters.

Appeared in ºìÌÒÊÓƵ magazine: June 2014