Leo Chidester
Leo Chidester of Tremonton, Utah, passed away on 12/21/2024 of Parkinsons Disease at the age of 77. Leo was born in Ogden, Utah in 1947. He graduated from Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah in 1965, where he participated in track and chess club, and earned the Sterling Scholar award for Industrial Arts. He later attended then Weber College in Ogden, Utah where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering.
Leo served in the United States Army from 09/1966 to 09/1969, spending time in Vietnam and in Germany as a mechanic. During this time, while on leave, he fulfilled his dream of becoming a pilot, earning his pilot’s license in less than a month.
In early 1970, he was introduced to Susan Morse on a blind date. They married later that year in the Logan, Utah LDS temple. Together they had two daughters and three sons.
Leo was a talented machinist and engineer, skills he learned as a child from his father. His career path took many turns. He owned Carbide Tool Works in Anchorage Alaska and has worked for Hill Air Force Base in Davis County Utah, Lenox in Dallas, Texas, Morton Thiokol near Brigham City, Utah, Cryolab in San Louis Obispo, California, and Defense Depot in Ogden, Utah, where structures that he designed and built can still be seen.
Leo’s list of hobbies is even more diverse and took him and his family on even more adventures than did his career path. His seemingly endless appetite for new and interesting experiences drew him to hobbies too numerous to name here. But airplanes, beekeeping, Boy Scouts and Pinewood Derbies, and volunteering with HawkWatch International are among the most enduring.
He is survived by his wife, Susan, his children Jan Morse, Holly Akli, Glen Chidester, Tim Chidester and Jared Chidester, his 14 grandchildren, his sister Sue Scott and three brothers, Clive Chidester, Mark Chidester and Ben Chidester, and a lovely grand-dog named Tilly.
He is predeceased by his parents James Ray Chidester and Irene Booth Chidester and his two elder brothers Jim Chidester and Mike Chidester.
The family would like to thank the staff at Bristol Hospice and George E. Wahlen Veterans Home in Ogden Utah for loving care, surpassing even their highest expectations.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to HawkWatch International at:
Services are under the direction of Provident Funeral Home.