John Chase

John L. Chase NORFOLK - John Leroy Chase, a retired higher education specialist at the Department of Education and a former college teacher, died at Epoch on Blackstone Boulevard in Providence Nov. 4, 2008. He was 90. He was born in New Haven, Conn., May 2, 1918. Mr. Chase was the middle of three sons of Herbert L. and Ethel James Chase. Prior to his retirement in 1979, Mr. Chase was a program manager for the co-op program at the U.S. Department of Education, where he worked for 21 years. During World War II, he was a research analyst with the Military Intelligence Division of the War Department, and was with the Foreign Service in Western Europe at the war's end. Mr. Chase received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Harvard, and his doctorate from Princeton. He taught political science at Brown, the University of North Carolina, Louisiana State University and Indiana University. He was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, a member and past president of the Kiwanis club of Pioneers and a member of the Administrative Council of Park Place United Methodist Church in Norfolk. His marriage to Helen H. Chase ended in divorce. He was predeceased by his wife of 46 years, Nancy Turner Chase, in 1999, and by his two brothers, James B. Chase and the Rev. William J. Chase. Mr. Chase is survived by three sons, Jon M. Chase and his wife Louisa and their daughter Maya of Acton, Mass., Jeremy H. Chase and his wife Karen and their children Christopher and Amy of Lititz, Pa., and Robert J. Chase and his wife MaryAnn and their son Matthew of Providence, R.I. A life celebration service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday in Colonial Funeral Home, Smithfield, with the Rev. Harry Spear officiating. Burial will follow in Ivy Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fellowship Class, Park Place Methodist Church, 500 34th St., Norfolk, Va., to the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Hampton Roads or to a charity of one's choice.