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Robert Ellis Chase
03/31/1917 — 03/06/2006
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Dwight, Illinois
Robert Ellis Chase
Dr. Robert E. Chase, M.D., 88, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2006 in Richland.
Dr. Chase was born in the small town of Dwight, Illinois, in 1917, and always stayed in touch with his small-town roots. He attended Blackburn College for two years, after which he worked the family farm before enrolling in the University of Illinois. He put himself through college doing odd jobs, all the while riding the freight trains back and forth to his home to help and look after his mother, Minnie Chase.
Dr. Chase graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign, and the University of Illinois Medical School in Chicago. It was in Chicago at Illinois Research Hospital that he served his internship and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and there that he met his life-long love and partner, Dorothy. The two were married in 1946 and moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Dr. Chase served in the US Army, practicing obstetrics. He rose to the rank of Captain before being honorably discharged.
In 1948, he and his family moved to Richland, where he began his own practice in medicine, as a surgeon in obstetrics and gynecology, and was one of the first physicians in town. He had a love of medicine and helping others, and put this love into his practice for 44 years. During that time, he delivered more than 10,000 babies practically half the town and cared for thousands of patients. He was a pioneer in bringing acupuncture to the US, incorporating it as an important part of his practice years before it came into the mainstream.
Dr. Chase had a love for life that was apparent to everyone he knew. This love could be seen in his career, his hobbies, and above all, his family. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Chase loved taking walks in the woods, fishing, hunting, and participating with the boy scouts. He had an intense appreciation for natures beauty, and especially loved the Grand Canyon, which he rafted twice. He was passionate about downhill skiing, a sport that he shared with his family, and was still carving the slopes through his 80th year. Dr. Chase and his wife, Dorothy, were golf enthusiasts, traveling to California yearly to practice the sport, and were members of the Tri-City Country Club. Dr. Chase had a long-time interest in the art of Karate, becoming a Black Belt and achieving the rank of 2nd degree.
During his practice, Dr. Chase served as Chief of Staff at Kadlec Hospital, and was a partner in the first medical building in Richland. He was a member of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and was one of the first members of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture AAMA. He also was involved in the Kiwanis club, serving as the chapters president in Richland in 1967. A devout Catholic, Dr. Chase was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, and made a pilgrimage to Medjugorje in 1997.
Dr. Chase shared his joy of life with his family. He is survived by his beloved wife Dorothy, his brother Bill, his daughter Barbara Allen and husband Don and her children Tracie, Christie, and Rob, son Bill Chase and wife Jane and their children John and Julia, daughter Judiee Goodman and husband Gary and her children Justin, Theresa, and Thomas, son Thomas Chase, son Steve Chase and wife Mafe and their son Akira and one on the way, and his great-grandchildren, Kyle, Chance and Jadyn, all who will miss him dearly.
Special thanks to all of the caregivers at Alterra Wynwood of Columbia Edgewater.
Visitation will be held at Einans Friday from 12 noon to 6 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 6 p.m.
Funeral mass will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2006 at Christ the King Catholic Church at 1 p.m. Graveside services will follow immediately at Sunset Memorial Gardens. All are welcome for both, followed by a celebration of his life at the Shilo Inn.
Dear Chase Family,
My heart goes out to you all. Having lived across the street from you for the first years of my life, your family and my family continued to have endearing connections throughout our lifetime. My Dad had the highest respect for Dr. Chase and I was raised with that same admiration for him. I will never forget that our first dogs were from your English Setter, Ginger I hope I remembered her name correctly. Dixie and Tex were a most loved addition to my family and I will long remember the day we came over to your house to pick them out. I also have Dr. Chase and Dr. Peterson, to thank for covering for Dad when my family and I went out of town. Without him stepping in, I don’t know if I would now have the very special memories I have of my family vacations. But probably the most important and lasting memory I have of Dr. Chase, is his quiet, warm-hearted nature. He always had a kind word for me even when I was an awkward, self-conscious young teen. I will never forget that gentle side of him. When you think about how many lives he brought into this world and the people he touched along the way, the numbers are pretty staggering. To say that his life meant a great deal to many people is clearly an understatement. I just feel so lucky to have shared a part of his life and family.
With greatest sympathy,
Nancy Harville
Our family fondly remembers Dr.Chase, the trusted, ethical OB/GYN that nursed me through a fetal death and the next year the birth of our only daughter. Dr Chase was always so “good” to me, no matter what was taking place…God Bless his soul.
I am sure he will be deeply missed by all. I am just amazed at how much Dr. Chase had accomplished and how active he was all the way through his 80’s. Not a better example out there of how to live a good active life, truly an inspiration to us all. Dr. Chase will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Charles Fick iii
To the Chase Family..
You have lost a great husband,father and grandfather. Richland has lost the best OB-GYN doctor it ever had. His gentle manner put many of us at ease when we made our first “female” visit to him. He was a doctor and a gentle father figure and yet when things were serious you could tell in his voice you better listen up.
He will be forever missed and always remembered in my prayers.
Carole Ettinger Mudd
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum. Bring out the coffin and let the mourners come. Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead. Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead. Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves, Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves. He was my North, my South, my East, and West, My working week and my Sunday rest. My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song: I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong. The stars are not wanted now;put out every one, Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun, Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods: For nothing now can ever come to any good. To the man who loved me the most. I am so happy you are with god, but I miss you so much. I love you grandpa, Christie
Dear Chase Family,
My heart goes out to you all. Having lived across the street from you for the first years of my life, your family and my family continued to have endearing connections throughout our lifetime. My Dad had the highest respect for Dr. Chase and I was raised with that same admiration for him. I will never forget that our first dogs were from your English Setter, Ginger I hope I remembered her name correctly. Dixie and Tex were a most loved addition to my family and I will long remember the day we came over to your house to pick them out. I also have Dr. Chase and Dr. Peterson, to thank for covering for Dad when my family and I went out of town. Without him stepping in, I don’t know if I would now have the very special memories I have of my family vacations. But probably the most important and lasting memory I have of Dr. Chase, is his quiet, warm-hearted nature. He always had a kind word for me even when I was an awkward, self-conscious young teen. I will never forget that gentle side of him. When you think about how many lives he brought into this world and the people he touched along the way, the numbers are pretty staggering. To say that his life meant a great deal to many people is clearly an understatement. I just feel so lucky to have shared a part of his life and family.
With greatest sympathy,
Nancy Harville
Our family fondly remembers Dr.Chase, the trusted, ethical OB/GYN that nursed me through a fetal death and the next year the birth of our only daughter. Dr Chase was always so “good” to me, no matter what was taking place…God Bless his soul.
I am sure he will be deeply missed by all. I am just amazed at how much Dr. Chase had accomplished and how active he was all the way through his 80’s. Not a better example out there of how to live a good active life, truly an inspiration to us all. Dr. Chase will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Charles Fick iii
To the Chase Family..
You have lost a great husband,father and grandfather. Richland has lost the best OB-GYN doctor it ever had. His gentle manner put many of us at ease when we made our first “female” visit to him. He was a doctor and a gentle father figure and yet when things were serious you could tell in his voice you better listen up.
He will be forever missed and always remembered in my prayers.
Carole Ettinger Mudd
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum. Bring out the coffin and let the mourners come. Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead. Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead. Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves, Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves. He was my North, my South, my East, and West, My working week and my Sunday rest. My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song: I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong. The stars are not wanted now;put out every one, Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun, Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods: For nothing now can ever come to any good. To the man who loved me the most. I am so happy you are with god, but I miss you so much. I love you grandpa, Christie
To Mrs. Chase and family,
Our heartfelt condolences for your loss. Dr.Chase will always be remembered for his caring and kindness. He was a great doctor.
God be with you in this difficult time.
Gianna Maffeo and family
I will always have warm loving memories of Dr. Chase. He became like my 2nd father and took very good care of me when I needed one. My best holidays were the ones spent with all of you. Even though Tom and I never got married, the hardest thing for me was letting go of the family and my ties with Dr. and Mrs. Chase. Even though I lost my own father in 1967, I feel like I’ve lost him all over again 2 days ago. My thoughts and prayers go with all of you and please, Mrs. Chase, call me if you ever need anything. I would love to come visit you when you feel like having company, just let me know.
Love,
Terry Hutson Gunter
509 628-2858 – home
509 372-8106 – work
Home address:
Applewood Estates
1497 Chardonnay Drive
Richland, WA 99352
My long-time physician has left us – but, not without many memories of his professionalism and friendliness. He was there when needed during my illness and surgery. Sincere sympathy to the Chase family in the loss of your dear husband, father, grandfather. Blessings to all!
We have lost a doctor, friend, neighbor and fellow Catholic. Dr Chase took such good care of me as a doctor. I remember the times we would talk when he can by the house for pool chemicals. I looked forward to talking with him. I will always see him when I look at his favorite pew where he sat for morning Mass. He was an inspiration for those of us who were blessed to know him. Heaven will welcome him. Donna and Bob
I want to offer my condolences to the family. I am the son of Bob’s brother Bill Chase. Although I didn’t have much of an opportunity to get to know Uncle Bob, I can say that my father held Uncle Bob in great esteem. I could tell, even at a young age when my Dad talked about Uncle Bob, that he looked up to him and wanted to emulate him in just about everything he did.
I regret not being able to have more of an opportunity to know the Chases of Washington, but I do know that Uncle Bob will be missed.
May he rest in peace and may God comfort his family in his absence.
Bill Chase
8015 Taunton Road
Indianapolis, IN 46260
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Robert Ellis Chase