Frank Clinton "Stub" Chace Jr.

About

Trinity College United States Naval Academy

Frank Chace Obituary

CHACE Frank Clinton Chace, Jr. "Stub" Colonel, USMC Frank Clinton “Stub” Chace Jr., 78, retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel and innovator in the development of Assault Amphibious Vehicles, passed away in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 5, 2008. At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by his family. Born in Fall River, Massachusetts on September 5, 1929 to Dr. Frank Clinton Chace and Alice Rigby Chace, Colonel Chace was active in civic, religious and athletic events during his youth. He served as the Sexton of Christ Church in Swansea during World War II, he attained Eagle Scout at age 15, and he starred for football and baseball teams at Case and Gardner High Schools. He attended Trinity College and Bullis Prep before being appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1949. As a Midshipman, Colonel Chace lettered as First Baseman for the Naval Academy Baseball team. It was at this time he acquired the nickname “Stubby” because of his resemblance to a major league ballplayer with the same nickname, and “Stub” was the name by which he was best known for the rest of his life. He graduated from the Academy on June 5, 1953 and was commissioned into the Marine Corps. Colonel Chace served in the Marine Corps for 28 years. Career highlights included assignments as Armored Amphibian Platoon Commander in the Korean War, Inspector-Instructor, 4th Amtrack Battalion, West Palm Beach, Florida, Logistics Officer, Executive Officer and Commanding Officer, Third Tracked Vehicle Battalion in Vietnam, Officer-in-Charge, Amphibious Vehicle Test Branch, Camp Pendleton, California, Commanding Officer, Third Tracked Vehicle Battalion, Okinawa, Japan, and Program Manager, Landing Vehicle Assault Program at Quantico, Virginia. His decorations include the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” and gold star in lieu of second award, the Bronze Star with Combat “V”, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Purple Heart. Colonel Chace continued developing amphibious vehicles, lightweight tanks, and remotely piloted vehicles as a manager and consultant with AAI Corporation, until he retired in 1993. He served as the Vice President and President of La Fontana Apartment Complex, and was active in the Palm Beach Pundits and Retired USMC Eagles club in West Palm Beach, as well as the Retired Officer‘s Associations and Naval Academy Alumni affairs. Memorial Services with Full Military Honors will be held at the Chapel, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia on June 27, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. A private interment will be held the following day at the Columbarium at the Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that charitable donations be made to Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407. He is survived by his of 55 years, Joy Deane Chace; his children, Captain Christopher Bruce Chace, USN, and wife Sara; Major Stephen Deane Chace, USMC, and wife Karen; Kimberly Chace and husband David Briganti; Cynthia Ann Chace; Cathie Walsh Snellinger and husband Jerry; brother Colonel Alston Rigby Chace, USAF, and wife Beverly; and seven grandchildren.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Jun. 22, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Frank Chace

7 Entries

Roy Stanford

July 6, 2008

Col. Chace is deeply missed by myself and so many other Marines who knew or served with him. I met the Col. in Vietnam in 1968 when he was the Commanding Officer of my company. He could have sat behind a desk in relative safety but that just wasn't his way. He was with his troops, his men that admired and trusted him. He was always seen in the "thick" of things and I am so deeply saddened by his passing. Sir, my final salute to you: SEMPER FI.

Ken Priestly

July 3, 2008

We have lost a dedicated Marine and a great man who we are proud to call friend. He will be missed, but his memory lives forever. God bless Stub and his family. Semper Fi Ken & Trish Priestly

Richard Chebator

June 24, 2008

Richard Chebator, second thoughts: Quote from 17century poet John Donne. "ANY MAN'S DEATH DIMINISHES ME,FOR I AM INVOLVED IN MANKIND,FOR NO MAN IS AN ISLAND.FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS,IT TOLLS FOR THEE" Rest peacefully Frank.

ANNIE MAE BURGESS

June 23, 2008

MY FLIGHT
As the dew drops were resting on the flowers. Frank Clinton "Stub" Chace Jr.was getting prepared to go home on his Boeing 0605. Because it was a one seater, He quickly locked the doors to make sure no one else came aboard.

I’m sure he already had his last earthly meal but he was still a little bit hungry, so he found the flight attendant by the name of Holy Angel who escorted him to the Lord ’s Table. Holy Angel served Stub a plate of the bread of heaven; he finished with a cup of the blood of Jesus.

Stub was full now, so he decided to change into his flight clothes. He went in the dressing room and put on, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, and the shod of the gospel of peace. Stub was looking good, wearing the whole armor of God.

As he prepared to take his seat, he remembered that he did not have his ticket. That is when Pilot Jesus came in and said, “I have it, Stub, I paid for it back on Calvary with My blood. But what about my hotel reservation? Stub asked. Pilot Jesus once again answered; there is a suite for you at Hotel Heaven. I reserved it when I arose the third day. When you get there, ask for the Master attendant, He will confirm your stay in the Reservation Book of Heaven.

Stub was prepared for take off, but worried about his family and friends. Were they ready for him to take this flight? Pilot Jesus knew this bothered him, So He whispered softly in Stub’s ear, they will understand it better, by and by, that Father has no more pain, heartache, no more sorrows, no worries, no more sleepless nights, for you’ll be with the Master. Those words eased Stub’s heart. But he wanted Pilot Jesus to tell them one more thing.

To Release me to the Angels, for God sent them for me,
For He knew that I was tired, and wanted me to be free;

However, you can hold on to the memories, for they can be so sweet and dear,
And with those precious memories, it will feel as if I’m still near;

Release me to the Holy Ghost, so that I can walk thru the Heavenly gates
And by you knowing that I’m there, will help increase your faith;

Faith you’ll make into Heaven, Faith you’ll see me again one day,
Faith you can be free like myself, it’s a sweet, sweet faith I say;

Release me to the Master, for my death was a part of His plan,
He only wanted me to live like a king, over in Glory Land.

Where death is not an issue, there’s no pain I have to bear
I’ll be singing songs of Zion, because I won’t have an earthly care;

Release me to the Heavens, for I won’t be there alone;
Many other saints are there, singing and shouting around God’s throne;

For when I met Jesus, he placed a smile upon my face,
He had assured me all my sins, pains and troubles had been washed away, with His mercy and His grace;

Release me, Release me, for I wouldn’t come back now;
Release me, for I’m not coming back, there’s no way, there’s no how.

But I’ll ask the Lord to bless you, and to wipe your tears away;
So you can release me, release me, release me today.

Written By
Jacqueline M. Burgess

Richard Chebator

June 23, 2008

This letter of condolance is from one of Frank's good acquaintances from my past association with him while he was on the Board of Director's. He was indeed a good man and one of the best Board Presidents we have ever had in my 17+ years while living at LaFontana here in West Palm Beach. My association with him is more through his wife Joy, is also a "joy" to know. My sincere condolances to Joy and to his entire family,some of whom I have met and they too are a joy, I am sure. (s) Richard D. Chebator, Apt #415, La Fontana Apartments, WPB, FL.....

Ed O'Neill

June 22, 2008

Stub always said I was one of his best friends (along with other hundreds). Served under him as Tech Mgr of amphib programs. Great guy, great storyteller. God Bless.

Dominique Dumont

June 22, 2008

Dear Frank,

Your death has broken my heart...reminiscent of my own father's passing not long ago. I will miss fixing your computer Frank, I will miss seeing you float around the pool listening to Rush, I will miss baking you cookies, listening to your great stories, lobster dinners with you and Joy, Thanksgiving, and I will miss your great smile and your positive outlook.

There were so many stories but I'll always remember my earlier years at LaFontana when my oven caught on fire. You and Joy were down the hall at the Silverman's during your regular building cocktail hour. I was 23 years old, in a state of panick, running up and down the hallway looking for someone to help. I hardly knew you but I ran and banged on Bert and Britt's door frantically. You must of thought, who is this crazy girl...but no, you got up and so calmly walked down the hall, not saying one word, opened my door, walked in the kitchen to confront the flames and "simply" turn the knob to the off position. Seven words came out of your mouth: "there you go, everything is ok now". Within seconds the flames subsided. You quietly returned to your drink next door and it was the beginning of a new frienship amongst us. We did have a good laugh about that for many years.

2005 hurricane Jeanne was also quite memorable in unit 505. James was playing up north and I was alone in Florida. You and Joy kindly invited me to weather the hurricane downstairs with you guys. Joy had cooked tons of food, we were all sealed in ready for the cat 4 to hit. I came downstairs with Cousteau (my kitten). You got a kick out of watching her sniffy sniff the whole apartment. Cindy, Yvonne and I played monopoly with a few drinks in hand and you sat listening to your battery radio. The storm got stronger and stronger but I felt so secure with you there...figuring that all would be fine with my favorite Colonel to protect us all. As James said, "go downstairs with Frank, he'll know what to do if the hurricane gets bad!" Well around 10pm, the excitement just wasn't enough for the man who had lived war action and much worse tragedies. You got up, said goodnight to everyone and walked off to bed! We all turned our heads and said "hey, where are you going in this time of crisis??!!". Cindy said "Dad??" ... Joy laughed. She knew the storm wasn't enough to keep her husband up. We were all just dazed but then we all knew that Frank Chace wouldn't let anything happen to his family so we returned to buying Park Place, Joy's candles stayed lit,the winds blew hard, the building shook and Florida got devasted but inside unit 505, we were all just fine...as Frank predicted.

You and Joy came up to my canadian cottage summer '06 and we had a great time. You fished off my dock, painted the scenery, enjoyed our regularly scheduled happy hour on the deck with Joy's escargots! Gosh I even remember asking you to put your peach pits in the garbage and not on my table cloth during your 3am snacks! Trust me, I'd be happy to have you back and pick up your peach pits now! LOL We stayed up a few nights and watched some good war movies. Gosh, we really had a wonderful time and I was so glad that you both made the trip up to Quebec.

You were a man of few words Frank but always full of good stories and education about life. You had a huge heart and always made me feel a part of your family.

Wherever you are Frank, I have no doubt that you will be fine and that you will forever watch over Joy and your family. Perhaps you will even see our good friends Aiken and Bert again.

I will miss you so much Frank. Thank you for being so good to us. I will use the binoculars you gave us and look at the stars at night and think of you.

Love
Dominique

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results