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Chet Livingston, paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division
More than 50 years ago Chet and I served two years together in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. Since then we’ve kept in touch by phone and mail. The 82nd Airborne Jump School was three weeks of intensive endurance and parachute training. Less than half who started graduated. Chet and I worked in the supply office of the 407 Quartermaster Company. He was there when I came and helped me learn the ropes. Chet’s duties were in ammunition supply and mine were in rations supply. In time we became good friends; he took his job very serious, but was a lot of fun when off-duty. Young troopers were assigned to forty five bed squad bays. As seniority grew, they were assigned to two-bed cadre rooms with more privacy and comfort. It just happened that Chet and I were assigned to the same cadre room. We talked a lot about our life experiences and dreams for the future. Early in our friendship, I saw that Chet had a hunger for adventure. We saw all we could of New York City on a 3-day pass. We boated, swam, and hiked at Lake Lure near Asheville, NC. We challenged the Marines to strength games at the Myrtle Beach amusement park. We, and some of our buddies, almost got in a brawl with some S.C. locals, because they thought we paid too much attention to their girl friends. The police broke it up and saved the locals. Chet visited Civil War sites when he could. It fits that Chet would get in to diving the ocean in his civilian years. He was a good friend who worked hard, played hard and knew his stuff. Chet and the division photographer were friends. Chet took a lot of pictures and shared many with friends. He was given access to the dark room to develop them. Most of my pictures came from Chet. I’m lucky and blessed to have had Chet’s friendship and that it lasted so many years.
Chet, I tried to get you on the phone after we talked last fall; I didn’t know you’d gone to be with Peggy. David told me. I’ll catch you when my time comes.
Neal Eagar
22 May 2010 - Mesa Az
Amanda Dishman
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What can I say? You were a gift from God, you were always putting smiles on faces and looking out for others. You were a wonderful man. Chet, you meant a lot to us, and especially to my grandma. She was so in love and i could tell you were in love to. It feels like he was here one day and gone the next, but we all know that he is in such a better place now. I know that he is up there with his parents and wife, without any pain, probably having the time of his life. It makes me feel good to know that he is up there watching over us everyday. all the time. What a wonderful man he was. May God Bless his family. With Love, Amanda Dishman
13 February 2010 - Bakersfield, Ca
Teresa Groesbeck Bailie
I feel very blessed to have a special cousin such as Chet. Although I (living in Missouri), was unable to spend a lot of time with him and his family, remember quality time together when he came for a visit. I will always remember a genuine person that always wore a loving and caring smile which I found to be contagious too. I also see where he passed this heritage to his children. What a blessing. Chet was such a precious blessing to my Grandparents, his Uncle Oscar and Aunt Helen (Livingston) Burton. They always shared letters and pictures sent from Chet and family. My mother, Faye Burton-Groesbeck would also share stories of Chet and her when growing up. She taught us how blessed we are to have special family members such as Chet. Mom (Faye) went home to our Lord last year and I can just see her along with Oscar and Helen, and all other family members gone home, meeting Chet by the living river in Heaven. I am comforted by knowing there will come a time when we will all be re-united in Heaven, never to be apart again. In closing, I am a blessed and better person because of the effect of my family members, like Chet, and others noted above. I give Glory to God for all of my family.
5 February 2010 - Aurora, Missouri
Terry Bruce
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I hope your journey HOME to God was quick. I enjoyed working with you at Mkt. Whsl. Thank you for your story about "The Last Dinosaur". You had a gift of writing. I know you will be watching over your family.
4 February 2010 - Modesto
Robert, Beverly & Anthony Green & Thelma Cannon
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The angels are always near to those who are grieving, to whisper to them that their loved ones are safe in the hand of God. Our deepest sympathy. Remember the good times, they are what will help you through.
3 February 2010 - Duncan, OK
mary Louise Dishman
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My Dear Chet, Where do I start? How can I ever explain us, and our love for each other, and the sadness in our lives with the lost of our soulmates, You came in my life Chet and I, yours, at a special time for the two of us.
We felt comfortable with each other very quickly, and started a new kind of life for the two of us.
We fell in love, a different kind of feeling that was new to us, after our lost of our beloved spouses.
It was so wonderful to see you start smiling again, and for me to feel alive again.
Having someone to talk to, Cry with, spend time with, going to new places, dancing, going to church,out to MIMI's, movies, trips to the Ocean, and Bakersfield and meeting our families.
It was so nice to be so special to each other. We felt like God had really something to do with it, because we thanked him and ask him for his approval, and felt he gave his continued love to us everyday.
He is still with us.
Chet was a excellent writer of short stories for the Valley Singles every month, he loved his job. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and imagination. Some were true, about his time in the Army as a Paratrooper, some very explicit and some so very funny and crazy.
He would give me one to read at times and he would sit and watch my reaction, and when I would start to laugh, he would smile ear to ear, saying, "You like it?" I would reply where does all of this come from? Then he would softly laugh.
His long illness began in Feb.2009, and I became his caregiver. I was blessed to be there for him, he was so appreciative and losing his ability to drive was very devastating, he was so active, helped so many of his friends, in so many different ways, and now he was having to depend on someone to do it for him.
He had a hard time, feeling like he was asking too much of me. I would remind him, I do it because I want to, "Would you do this for me?" His reply," I would do anything for you that I could" He was also my caregiver he would bring me Cappuccino, every morning to me in bed.
I felt like a" Queen." We had a agreement, He was the "Emperor," and I was the" Boss" That was his decision!! For such a short time together, we , read each other very well.
He was a quiet man,with his sexy voice, and didn't like a lot of noise or commotion.
We shared the love for music, and the arts, and concerts in the Park, and hearing his son, David play his Trumpet and also sing once in awhile.
What a wonderful talent.
Through his Dad's illness and trials, David truly stepped up to the plate, and we have grown to love each other, and respect our place in his Dad's life.
His daughter, Beth, lives in Spain, with her husband, Mike, an Officer in the Air Force.
She came home in November, and comforted her Dad and took care of his personal business. She had a very difficult time leaving to go back to Spain.
Chet's wonderful grandchilden, Chris and Karen, are here with their mother at this sad time.
I asked Chet one time, "when I see you or you see me in heaven one day, will you know me? Of course, was his reply.
It made me happy.
I am NOT the blond hair, green eyed woman named Babette, that he was looking for but I think I was someone he trusted, confided in, and we really made every effort to make each other happy.
I am so very blessed to be his special, "Mary Louise"
"I Will Remember You"
Chester Dean Livingston.
What a nice name, you wore it well.
I know you and your precious Peggy and your Mother and Dad are having a wonderful time with our Lord, and the rest of the relatives.
No more pain and suffering Chet, you were so brave and, fought so long, now you are another Bright Star * in my sky.
AMEN
2 February 2010 - modesto, Calif.
David and Carole Hook
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Chet, words can't describe the sense of loss we feel but we hold comfort near in knowing you are with Margaret; in eternal peace, love and tranquility. Our love to you forever.
2 February 2010 - Pryor, Oklahoma
Mitch
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I miss you Uncle Chet, but I guess you’re in a better place now. I’m sitting here thinking of some of the good times that I had with him a looooong time ago. A couple times come to mind. First, when we would go hunting in Arizona—believe it or not. One trip we took was right behind our house in Dripping Springs, Arizona about 35 years ago. Uncle Chet and Dave came over to our house so we could hunt one evening after work. I remember Dave and I slowly creeping along the trail, quietly stalking any rabbit or quail that might be unlucky enough to hop out in front of us. Meanwhile, bringing up the rear, Uncle Chet and my dad just tagged along, doing what dads do, which was shooting the bull and making all kinds of noise and jokes and whatnot. I got a rabbit that evening, and Uncle Chet taught me how to skin it—using a bicycle pump no less! The second thing I thought of was about how interested (and talented) Uncle Chet was with photography. I remember that he made a camera mount out of a piece of wood that looked just like the stock of a 1930’s era Tommy Gun. He mounted his 35mm camera on it and took some of the best black & white shots of our families floating down the Gila River and of Dave and I playing Little League baseball.
Some good memories, and I will miss you Uncle Chet. Say hi to Aunt Peggy for me.
Mitch
2 February 2010 - Surprise, Arizona
Pat
I’ll miss you Chet. You and Peggy were so inspiring and so much fun to visit with. I’m glad for all of the wonderful memories and know you’re fully blessed in the presence of the Lord with Peggy again. With Love, cousin Pat
