Chester Laney obituary: Chester Laney's Obituary, Topeka
In Memory Of
Chester A. Laney
1924 - 2017
In Memory Of
Chester A. Laney
1924 - 2017
Chester A. Laney, 93, of Topeka, passed away on July 27, 2017.
Chet was born in Ambridge PA on Oct 2, 1924. He graduated from Ambridge High School where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. He received football scholarship offers from Notre Dame, University of Michigan and University of Kentucky. Unfortunately World War II interrupted the start of Chet’s collegiate career as he was drafted into the Air Force 10 days after graduation. While in the service, he was stationed at various bases around the US. He was in charge of the physical training of B-52 crews and spent flight time learning the physical rigors involved in flying those planes. While stationed in Tucson, he met fellow serviceman and KU Football great Ray Evans. Ray asked him to join the Second Air Force football team known as the Super Bombers. Chet’s last game for the Bombers was played in Yankee Stadium in New York City.
After the war, he returned to Ambridge to marry his high school sweet heart Geraldine Wessely on Dec 18, 1946. The couple then moved to Lawrence KS where Chet accepted a football scholarship to the University of Kansas. During his first year of competition, he injured his knee which prevented him from further football activities. Not letting that injury slow him down, Chet spent the next 3 years on the KU swim team. Working for the Lawrence Recreation Commission and volunteering for the Red Cross in their swimming programs, Chet began his long career in aquatic instruction.
The year 1951 saw the couple move to Topeka KS where he was employed by the Topeka Public School system where he taught physical education from 1954 to 1969 and again from 1981 to 1988. During the summer months for the next 14 years, Chet was manager of the Topeka Country Club Swim facility and also worked as a swim coach for the Topeka Swim Association. In 1958, he spurred on the Topeka Unified School District 501 School Board to fund a natatorium at Topeka High School, which when completed was regarded as the best high school pool in the state at the time. After twenty years as a swim coach and winning two state titles along the way, Chet definitely left his mark at Topeka High. So respected was he as a coach that in 2005, the swimming pool located underneath the gym at Topeka High was converted and renamed ‘Chet Laney Gym’.
When he left the teaching profession at THS, Chet was offered the job as the first Pro Manager at Lake Shawnee Golf Course in 1970. The course was very popular and membership increased dramatically over the 10 years Chet ran the course.
Chet officiated at the high school and collegiate level in football, basketball and baseball for nearly four decades in the State of Kansas, but he is mostly known as a football official. For 37 years he officiated high school and college football, 12 years in a small college setting where he officiated three NCAA Division II National Championship games, and 15 years in the Big Eight. In NCAA Division I, he officiated five major bowl games – the Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Gator Bowl and Liberty Bowl. The highlight of his officiating resume was in 1971 when he was a member of the crew that worked one of the greatest games in college football history, the battle between Nebraska and Oklahoma. That game has subsequently become known as “The Game of the Century”
Chet was inducted into the Beaver County (PA) Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. In addition, he is also a member of the Kansas Collegiate Officials Association Hall of Fame, the Topeka Officials Association Hall of Fame, the KU K-Club, Topeka branch of the American Legion, Topeka Knights of Columbus, and Sportsmen Club (Bybee’s).
Chet’s leisure hours were devoted to his love of gardening and taking care of his backyard tree nursery. The greatest joy in his later life was passing his love for all things swimming to his grandson Max who was a scholarship swimmer for the Arizona State Sundevils. Max has since carried on Chet’s devotion to the sport by coaching age group swimmers for the Scottsdale Aquatic Club (AZ).
He is survived by his wife Geraldine, son David and wife Becky (Warren) -Kansas City, son Randy and wife Judy (Bimba) -Denver, grandson Max -Scottsdale, and youngest son Tom, -Lawrence.
Cremation is planned, and the memorial reception will be held on August 11, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 S.W. Wanamaker Rd., Topeka, KS 66610. Inurnment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Topeka Rescue Mission, Inc. and the Helping Hands Humane Society.
To share a memory or leave a condolence, please click the 'Share Memories" button above.
Chet was born in Ambridge PA on Oct 2, 1924. He graduated from Ambridge High School where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. He received football scholarship offers from Notre Dame, University of Michigan and University of Kentucky. Unfortunately World War II interrupted the start of Chet’s collegiate career as he was drafted into the Air Force 10 days after graduation. While in the service, he was stationed at various bases around the US. He was in charge of the physical training of B-52 crews and spent flight time learning the physical rigors involved in flying those planes. While stationed in Tucson, he met fellow serviceman and KU Football great Ray Evans. Ray asked him to join the Second Air Force football team known as the Super Bombers. Chet’s last game for the Bombers was played in Yankee Stadium in New York City.
After the war, he returned to Ambridge to marry his high school sweet heart Geraldine Wessely on Dec 18, 1946. The couple then moved to Lawrence KS where Chet accepted a football scholarship to the University of Kansas. During his first year of competition, he injured his knee which prevented him from further football activities. Not letting that injury slow him down, Chet spent the next 3 years on the KU swim team. Working for the Lawrence Recreation Commission and volunteering for the Red Cross in their swimming programs, Chet began his long career in aquatic instruction.
The year 1951 saw the couple move to Topeka KS where he was employed by the Topeka Public School system where he taught physical education from 1954 to 1969 and again from 1981 to 1988. During the summer months for the next 14 years, Chet was manager of the Topeka Country Club Swim facility and also worked as a swim coach for the Topeka Swim Association. In 1958, he spurred on the Topeka Unified School District 501 School Board to fund a natatorium at Topeka High School, which when completed was regarded as the best high school pool in the state at the time. After twenty years as a swim coach and winning two state titles along the way, Chet definitely left his mark at Topeka High. So respected was he as a coach that in 2005, the swimming pool located underneath the gym at Topeka High was converted and renamed ‘Chet Laney Gym’.
When he left the teaching profession at THS, Chet was offered the job as the first Pro Manager at Lake Shawnee Golf Course in 1970. The course was very popular and membership increased dramatically over the 10 years Chet ran the course.
Chet officiated at the high school and collegiate level in football, basketball and baseball for nearly four decades in the State of Kansas, but he is mostly known as a football official. For 37 years he officiated high school and college football, 12 years in a small college setting where he officiated three NCAA Division II National Championship games, and 15 years in the Big Eight. In NCAA Division I, he officiated five major bowl games – the Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Gator Bowl and Liberty Bowl. The highlight of his officiating resume was in 1971 when he was a member of the crew that worked one of the greatest games in college football history, the battle between Nebraska and Oklahoma. That game has subsequently become known as “The Game of the Century”
Chet was inducted into the Beaver County (PA) Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. In addition, he is also a member of the Kansas Collegiate Officials Association Hall of Fame, the Topeka Officials Association Hall of Fame, the KU K-Club, Topeka branch of the American Legion, Topeka Knights of Columbus, and Sportsmen Club (Bybee’s).
Chet’s leisure hours were devoted to his love of gardening and taking care of his backyard tree nursery. The greatest joy in his later life was passing his love for all things swimming to his grandson Max who was a scholarship swimmer for the Arizona State Sundevils. Max has since carried on Chet’s devotion to the sport by coaching age group swimmers for the Scottsdale Aquatic Club (AZ).
He is survived by his wife Geraldine, son David and wife Becky (Warren) -Kansas City, son Randy and wife Judy (Bimba) -Denver, grandson Max -Scottsdale, and youngest son Tom, -Lawrence.
Cremation is planned, and the memorial reception will be held on August 11, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 S.W. Wanamaker Rd., Topeka, KS 66610. Inurnment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Topeka Rescue Mission, Inc. and the Helping Hands Humane Society.
To share a memory or leave a condolence, please click the 'Share Memories" button above.
Chester A. Laney, 93, of Topeka, passed away on July 27, 2017.
Chet was born in Ambridge PA on Oct 2, 1924. He graduated from Ambridge High School where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. He received football scholarship offers from Notre Dame, University of Michigan and University of Kentucky. Unfortunately World War II interrupted the start of Chet’s collegiate career as he was drafted into the Air Force 10 days after graduation. While in the service, he was stationed at various bases around the US. He was in charge of the physical training of B-52 crews and spent flight time learning the physical rigors involved in flying those planes. While stationed in Tucson, he met fellow serviceman and KU Football great Ray Evans. Ray asked him to join the Second Air Force football team known as the Super Bombers. Chet’s last game for the Bombers was played in Yankee Stadium in New York City.
After the war, he returned to Ambridge to marry his high school sweet heart Geraldine Wessely on Dec 18, 1946. The couple then moved to Lawrence KS where Chet accepted a football scholarship to the University of Kansas. During his first year of competition, he injured his knee which prevented him from further football activities. Not letting that injury slow him down, Chet spent the next 3 years on the KU swim team. Working for the Lawrence Recreation Commission and volunteering for the Red Cross in their swimming programs, Chet began his long career in aquatic instruction.
The year 1951 saw the couple move to Topeka KS where he was employed by the Topeka Public School system where he taught physical education from 1954 to 1969 and again from 1981 to 1988. During the summer months for the next 14 years, Chet was manager of the Topeka Country Club Swim facility and also worked as a swim coach for the Topeka Swim Association. In 1958, he spurred on the Topeka Unified School District 501 School Board to fund a natatorium at Topeka High School, which when completed was regarded as the best high school pool in the state at the time. After twenty years as a swim coach and winning two state titles along the way, Chet definitely left his mark at Topeka High. So respected was he as a coach that in 2005, the swimming pool located underneath the gym at Topeka High was converted and renamed ‘Chet Laney Gym’.
When he left the teaching profession at THS, Chet was offered the job as the first Pro Manager at Lake Shawnee Golf Course in 1970. The course was very popular and membership increased dramatically over the 10 years Chet ran the course.
Chet officiated at the high school and collegiate level in football, basketball and baseball for nearly four decades in the State of Kansas, but he is mostly known as a football official. For 37 years he officiated high school and college football, 12 years in a small college setting where he officiated three NCAA Division II National Championship games, and 15 years in the Big Eight. In NCAA Division I, he officiated five major bowl games – the Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Gator Bowl and Liberty Bowl. The highlight of his officiating resume was in 1971 when he was a member of the crew that worked one of the greatest games in college football history, the battle between Nebraska and Oklahoma. That game has subsequently become known as “The Game of the Century”
Chet was inducted into the Beaver County (PA) Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. In addition, he is also a member of the Kansas Collegiate Officials Association Hall of Fame, the Topeka Officials Association Hall of Fame, the KU K-Club, Topeka branch of the American Legion, Topeka Knights of Columbus, and Sportsmen Club (Bybee’s).
Chet’s leisure hours were devoted to his love of gardening and taking care of his backyard tree nursery. The greatest joy in his later life was passing his love for all things swimming to his grandson Max who was a scholarship swimmer for the Arizona State Sundevils. Max has since carried on Chet’s devotion to the sport by coaching age group swimmers for the Scottsdale Aquatic Club (AZ).
He is survived by his wife Geraldine, son David and wife Becky (Warren) -Kansas City, son Randy and wife Judy (Bimba) -Denver, grandson Max -Scottsdale, and youngest son Tom, -Lawrence.
Cremation is planned, and the memorial reception will be held on August 11, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 S.W. Wanamaker Rd., Topeka, KS 66610. Inurnment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Topeka Rescue Mission, Inc. and the Helping Hands Humane Society.
To share a memory or leave a condolence, please click the 'Share Memories" button above.
Chet was born in Ambridge PA on Oct 2, 1924. He graduated from Ambridge High School where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. He received football scholarship offers from Notre Dame, University of Michigan and University of Kentucky. Unfortunately World War II interrupted the start of Chet’s collegiate career as he was drafted into the Air Force 10 days after graduation. While in the service, he was stationed at various bases around the US. He was in charge of the physical training of B-52 crews and spent flight time learning the physical rigors involved in flying those planes. While stationed in Tucson, he met fellow serviceman and KU Football great Ray Evans. Ray asked him to join the Second Air Force football team known as the Super Bombers. Chet’s last game for the Bombers was played in Yankee Stadium in New York City.
After the war, he returned to Ambridge to marry his high school sweet heart Geraldine Wessely on Dec 18, 1946. The couple then moved to Lawrence KS where Chet accepted a football scholarship to the University of Kansas. During his first year of competition, he injured his knee which prevented him from further football activities. Not letting that injury slow him down, Chet spent the next 3 years on the KU swim team. Working for the Lawrence Recreation Commission and volunteering for the Red Cross in their swimming programs, Chet began his long career in aquatic instruction.
The year 1951 saw the couple move to Topeka KS where he was employed by the Topeka Public School system where he taught physical education from 1954 to 1969 and again from 1981 to 1988. During the summer months for the next 14 years, Chet was manager of the Topeka Country Club Swim facility and also worked as a swim coach for the Topeka Swim Association. In 1958, he spurred on the Topeka Unified School District 501 School Board to fund a natatorium at Topeka High School, which when completed was regarded as the best high school pool in the state at the time. After twenty years as a swim coach and winning two state titles along the way, Chet definitely left his mark at Topeka High. So respected was he as a coach that in 2005, the swimming pool located underneath the gym at Topeka High was converted and renamed ‘Chet Laney Gym’.
When he left the teaching profession at THS, Chet was offered the job as the first Pro Manager at Lake Shawnee Golf Course in 1970. The course was very popular and membership increased dramatically over the 10 years Chet ran the course.
Chet officiated at the high school and collegiate level in football, basketball and baseball for nearly four decades in the State of Kansas, but he is mostly known as a football official. For 37 years he officiated high school and college football, 12 years in a small college setting where he officiated three NCAA Division II National Championship games, and 15 years in the Big Eight. In NCAA Division I, he officiated five major bowl games – the Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Gator Bowl and Liberty Bowl. The highlight of his officiating resume was in 1971 when he was a member of the crew that worked one of the greatest games in college football history, the battle between Nebraska and Oklahoma. That game has subsequently become known as “The Game of the Century”
Chet was inducted into the Beaver County (PA) Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. In addition, he is also a member of the Kansas Collegiate Officials Association Hall of Fame, the Topeka Officials Association Hall of Fame, the KU K-Club, Topeka branch of the American Legion, Topeka Knights of Columbus, and Sportsmen Club (Bybee’s).
Chet’s leisure hours were devoted to his love of gardening and taking care of his backyard tree nursery. The greatest joy in his later life was passing his love for all things swimming to his grandson Max who was a scholarship swimmer for the Arizona State Sundevils. Max has since carried on Chet’s devotion to the sport by coaching age group swimmers for the Scottsdale Aquatic Club (AZ).
He is survived by his wife Geraldine, son David and wife Becky (Warren) -Kansas City, son Randy and wife Judy (Bimba) -Denver, grandson Max -Scottsdale, and youngest son Tom, -Lawrence.
Cremation is planned, and the memorial reception will be held on August 11, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 S.W. Wanamaker Rd., Topeka, KS 66610. Inurnment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Topeka Rescue Mission, Inc. and the Helping Hands Humane Society.
To share a memory or leave a condolence, please click the 'Share Memories" button above.
Services & Gatherings
Memorial Reception
Friday, August 11, 2017 at 6:00pm
Dove Cremations & Funerals - Southwest
3700 SW Wanamaker Rd
Topeka, KS 66610
Directions & Map
Southwest Chapel (785-272-9797) is assisting the family
Southwest Chapel (785-272-9797) is assisting the family