Kenneth V. Chace

[Death notice from York County (Maine) Coast Star]

Kenneth V. Chace, 86, a resident of Oak Bluff Lane, Kennebunk, died Aug. 12, 2002 at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born in Dartmouth, Mass., on April 24, 1916, a son of Victor and Mary (Sampson) Chace. He graduated from New Bedford Textile School and North Carolina State College in 1939 with a B.S. degree in chemical engineering.

In 1939, he started work for the American Viscose Company in Lewiston, Pa., where he was employed until 1947, interrupted by World War II. He was commissioned an Ensign after he joined the U.S. Naval reserve in 1942. After graduating first in class from Reserve Midshipman's school and finished teaching assignment, he was assigned to new construction at the Portsmouth Navy Yard. He served aboard the Cutlass (SS 478) in the Pacific until discharged as lieutenant in 1947.

In 1947, he accepted a position of assistant director of research at the Hathaway Mfg. Co. in New Bedford, Mass. In 1964, Warren E. Buffett bought control of the now Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and he was elected president and chief operating officer of textiles plant retiring in 1984. He then served as board member until 1991.

In 1980, he received an honorary doctor of business administrated from Southeastern Massachusetts University as well as named Entrepreneur of the Year.

He was active in the Northern Textile Association and the American Textiles Manufacturers Institute, Mass. Taxpayers Foundation and Old Sturbridge Village.

He moved to Kennebunk from Marion, Mass. in 1985 and he was served on the board for Kennebunk Public Health now Southern Maine Health and Home Care Services from 1987 until 1991.

He was a member of the Christ Church, Kennebunk.

He was an avid fisherman, having a 32-foot custom lobster yacht; the Cutlass II, built by Rummery's Boatyard in 1986. He was also very active ham radio enthusiast as being an amateur photographer.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jessie (Wilcock) Chace of Kennebunk; three sons, Kenneth V. Chace of Madison, Va., Brian D. Chace of Gsayling, Mich., and Peter C. Chace of Kennebunk; one daughter, Pamela M. Partow of Windham; one brother, Joseph Chace of Freetown, Mass.; and six grandchildren, David, Amanda, Dan, Melvin, Amy and Bill.

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Christ Church, Dane Street, Kennebunk.

Should friends desire, memorial donations in Mr.Chace's memory can be made to the Southern Maine Home and Health Care, asking that it be used to help build a Hospice Center, the address is Southern Maine Health and Home Care, PO Box 739, Kennebunk, ME 04043.