Clyde Ralston Chase

Clyde Ralston Chase, 84, a lifelong resident of his beloved Pine Plains died peacefully August 6, 2011 in his childhood home surrounded by his family after a 10 year battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born September 25, 1926 to longtime Pine Plains residents Dr. E. Earle Chase and Marion (Ralston) Chase. His grandfather, Fred W. Ralston, was the GE engineer who invented night baseball in 1930. Clyde attended Pine Plains Central School and graduated from Hotchkiss then Yale University in 1950. His formal education was interrupted when he served as a Lieutenant in the Infantry in WWII stationed in Korea. Clyde married the love of his life Marjorie Walberg (from Rhinebeck) on December 31, 1948 who survives at home. He is also survived by his three sons and their wives Lynden and Barbara, Scott and Jeanne Valentine, and Frank and Ann as well as his seven grandchildren: Wesley, Claire, Madelin, Corbin, Mara, Nathaniel and Max and two great -grandchildren, Aidan and Lydia, all residing in Pine Plains and adjoining Towns. He is also survived by his brother Craig and his wife Judy of Slippery Rock, PA. His sister Barbara Losee and her husband Gene are deceased. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews including Wanda Bohlinger.

Clyde enjoyed his teen employment on his uncle's (Dr. Kenneth F. Chase) farm and his ongoing farm contact through his cousin K. Barrett (Barry) Chase and his wife Rosemary Lyons who carry on with Chaseholm Farm. He was employed by IBM from 1952 until his retirement in 1987 where he worked in personnel, finance and management at IBM sites in Poughkeepsie, Mohansic and Kingston. His IBM supervisors would make light of Clyde getting so many of his Pine Plains friends and acquaintances jobs.

He gave much time to his community serving in many volunteer and political positions including: Pine Plains Town Supervisor, County Representative and County Legislator for Pine Plains, Milan and Rhinebeck (where he served 13 years, including stints as Majority & Minority Leader), Town Republican Chairman (44 years), Dutchess Community College Board of Trustees, Pine Plains School Board (9 years), Pine Plains Fire Commissioner (over 30 years), Lions Club (past President and Zone Chair), Stissing Masonic Lodge (past Master), IOOF (past Noble Grand) and others. Upon Clyde's retirement from the Legislature, fellow County Legislator Harry Schroeder said, "Clyde had little patience for political games. He endured in spite of this. He earned the respect of those he represented and worked with, through ability, honesty and effort."

Clyde loved time spent with his family and friends, and playing sports: basketball, soccer (halfback for semi-pro Hungarian team), baseball, softball, bowling, skiing and golf. He coached and played for the Pine Plains Bombardiers in the semi-pro league in Poughkeepsie in the 50s and early 60s. (We all loved the Pok Journal story where the paid players had fouled out forcing Clyde to play and he made the game winning hook shot as time ran out. He also happily referred to the charity game the Bombardiers played against the NY Knicks at the Kingston Arena.) He was proud of his 17-1 pitching record in the 1953 softball season. He spent many hours with his boys playing basketball in the haymow and in retirement golf was his game. He was a member of the Red Hook Golf Club and won the President's cup in 1990. He was also an accomplished hunter spending many treasured hours in the woods enjoying nature with family and friends.

Clyde and his family give special thanks to Hospice, Doreen, Brandy, Ada, and all our health care providers and of course our friends who have helped us in Clyde's journey.

There will be no calling hours and burial will be private. A memorial service to which all are invited will be officiated by Rev. Carol Miller at the First United Presbyterian Church of PP on Saturday Aug. 13th at 1pm. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to First Presbyterian Church of Pine Plains. To sign the online register please access www.peckandpeck.net.

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