CHANEY, ALGER, PUREL, DOUGLAS

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 at 10:52:24 :

San Francisco Chronicle
Tuesday, March 26, 2002
A21

CHANEY, Alger - Age 78, peacefully passed away on March 16, 2002 at his vacation home in Indian Wells, California. He was born in Portland, Oregon on January 26, 1924 to Henry Francis Chaney and Josephine Alger Chaney. Reared in both Portland and Detroit, Michigan, he attended the Millbrook School and the Detroit Institute of Technology, before World War II interrupted any further formal education. He followed his elder brother, lost early in the campaign for Guadalcanal, into the Naval Air Service and graduated from flight school in mid-1945. He then joined the Marine Corp Reserve and in 1952-53 was called to active duty during the Korean War. He served as a squadron leader, flying one hundred combat missions in an AD Skyraider, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as six Air Medals. Starting in 1946, he followed in the career path of his father, a prominent Oregon lumberman, and began a life-long association with the timber industry. Upon completion of military service in 1953, and the subsequent death of his father, he became an executive of both the Medford Corporation in Medford, Oregon and the Baker, Fentress Company of Chicago, which he served for the rest of his business career. In 1961 he became President, and then in 1965, Chairman of the board of the Medford Corporation and was instrumental in transforming that company from a lumber mill to a broader based wood-products concern. During this period he also served on corporate boards of other lumber firms as well as being a founding director of the Memorex Corporation. From 1960, until his retirement in 1989, he worked in San Francisco and resided in Hillsborough. After 1989 he moved to Pebble Beach, California and then in 1996 moved to Santa Barbara to be closer to his children. He maintained a life-long interest in aviation, flying his own plane for almost 40 years, as well hunting and fishing. He enjoyed travel and was able to see much of the world after he began a 19-year marriage to Marjorie, the widow of Frederick C. Talbot, Jr. He was soft-spoken, modest of his own accomplishments, a true gentleman and always generous to his family, friends and community. He was an active supporter of a great number of charities and organizations, including both schools and museums. In 2001 he marked his 50th year as a member of the Bohemian Club of San Francisco. He is survived by his wife Marjorie, his two children by previous marriages, Henry W. Chaney of Santa Barbara and Susan C. Purel of San Juan Capistrano, California, two grandchildren, Derek and Hunter, as well as his brothers, Jon B. Chaney of Kentfield, California and David D. Douglas of Londonderry, New Hampshire, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Diane and Lynden. The family requests that remembrances be made to any of the following organizations: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol Rd. Santa Barbara, CA 93105; the American Heart Association, P. O. Box 636, Santa Barbara, CA 93102; or his grandchildren's school: St. Margaret's Episcopal School, 31641 La Novia Ave, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Private graveside services and interment will be at Santa Barbara Cemetery.