Robert Wilson Chester (Bob)

Robert Wilson Chester (Bob) passed away on February 21, 2024. He was born in 1949 in Washington, PA, the son of Thomas W. and Esther L. Chester. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Lillian Clunk Chester; their children Jeffrey T. Chester (Megan) and Christine C. Yost (Zak) and grandchildren Cameron and Kyle Chester and Chase, Tessa and Van Yost and by his brother Richard J. Chester.

Bob attended Log Pile School and Trinity High School in Washington, PA. He received a Bachelor of Science from Towson University and an MBA from Bradley University. He completed several post-graduate courses in leadership and in negotiations at Harvard University and from Harvard University Online and other institutions.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1969 and was assigned to posts at Ft. Jackson, Little Creek Amphibious Base and Edgewood Arsenal. During his tour of duty, he received several merit awards and was appointed to a Post Set. Major Committee to study performance, morale, and disciplinary issues. He coached several youth athletic teams for many years. Bob was a member of St. John XXIII Church in McMurray, PA and held several different positions as an officer of the men’s club.

Bob was an outdoorsman and took great pleasure in taking his children and grandchildren outdoors. He loved to hunt, fish, golf and walk with family and friends. For many years he was an officer of the Washington County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited and was awarded the prestigious Chairman of the Year for Pennsylvania. He was an adjunct professor of negotiation, arbitration and labor at Bradley University.

Bob worked for the Federal Government for 42 years, of which 38 years were with the National Labor Relations Board. He worked in Peoria, IL and subsequently worked in Pittsburgh and Minneapolis. He was selected as Regional Director in Minneapolis and thereafter as Regional Director in Pittsburgh. He earned many distinguished performance awards during his years of service with the NLRB. He served as a trainer and speaker at many conferences throughout the U.S. He was a member the Federal Government’s Senior Executive Service (SES), a position classification equivalent to a General or Admiral in the U.S. Armed Forces. Fewer than 0.35% of Federal Employees are accepted into the SES.

Post retirement Lil and Bob spent as much time as possible with their children and grandchildren. He loved following his grandchildren’s activities. After his retirement he opened a practice as an arbitrator, mediator and factfinder. He was the sole practitioner in his Veteran’s Owned Small Business. During his 7 years of practice he conducted many arbitrations primarily throughout the mid-Atlantic States. He was a member of the Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA), American Arbitration Association, National Mediation Board Panel of Arbitrators, Pennsylvania Mediation Board Panel of Arbitrators and Three Rivers Labor Management Committee and often spoke at conferences and training sessions on labor relations.

Family and friends are welcome on Monday February 26, 2024 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Pittsburgh Cremation and Funeral Care, 3287 Washington Road, McMurray, PA 15317. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday February 27, 2024 at 10:30 am at St. John XXIII Parish, St. Benedict the Abbot Church, 120 Abington Drive, McMurray, PA 15317. Everybody please meet at the church. Burial will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 2900 Washington Rd., McMurray, PA 15317.