Chet Squire dies at age 95

Chester C. (Chet) Squire

Chet Squire, a resident of Ashland since the 1920s, died May 26, at home at the age of 95.

He was born in Imbler, Oregon on October 7, 1910 to Charles and Louise Squire. He was the youngest of five brothers and one sister. He moved to Ashland in the late 1920s and graduated from Ashland High School in the class of 1930. After two years at Southern Oregon Normal School he got his first teaching job on the Westside in Lakeview, Ore. In Lakeview he met Viola Boehm and married her in Joseph, Ore, on April 2, 1942.

Chet served in the Army Air Corp during World War II and rose to the rank of Captain. After the war the family moved to Ashland where Chet became principal of Washington School and supervised its conversion to Briscoe Elementary School. He was a believer in life-long education, earning a Masters degree by attending summer schools, and in 1962 he earned a Doctorate from the University of Oregon. In 1962 he left his principal’s job at Briscoe to become a professor in the School of Education at Southern Oregon College. He retired from SOC in 1976 but remained active in education for the next 10 years.

Chet loved anything outdoors—hunting fishing, mushrooming, and spending time in Lake County and at the family cabin on Fish Lake. He liked political debate and enjoyed sticking pins in hypocrisy. He was active in the Elks and Lions Clubs. He maintained his sense of humor to the end, reminding us shortly before he death that he was “a dirty old man.”

Chet is survived by his wife of 64 years, Viola; sons, wayne and David and wife Carol; grandchildren, Lore, Michelle and Steven; great-grandchildren, Arathur, Galen and Kayden; and his older brother, Marvin.

Chet was a strong believer in public education. In remembrance please support your public schools and teachers.

No service was held. Cards, calls and visits to Viola would be appreciated.