Michael T. Chesney

AUSTIN, Texas — Michael T. Chesney, Ph.D., Lt. Col (Ret.), 84, of Austin, Texas, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Mount Carmel, Pa., he was a son of the late Thomas and Gabriella Chesney.

Michael was a 1947 graduate of Mount Carmel High School and entered the U.S. Air Force in 1948. In July 1959, he married the love of his life, Carmen Navarro.

With the loving support of his wife, Carmy, Michael completed a distinguished 22-year military career and retired in 1970 as a lieutenant colonel. Duty assignments with the U.S. Air Force included decorated service, and Michael was awarded several medals.

During the Korean War, as a navigator bombardier, he completed a tour of 50 light bomber combat missions on B-26 Invader aircraft. Other duty assignments were instructor navigator, B-52 nuclear bomber aircraft navigator and Minuteman Missile ICBM operations.

Dr. Chesney's second career, from 1970 to 1992, was as an educator. His academic degrees included a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1958, a MBA from Ohio State University in 1967, a M.S. in economics from South Dakota State University in 1972, and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1979.

He was a member of the faculty at Texas State University in San Marcos, St. Edward's University, Austin, and the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Chesney's teaching fields were economics and business administration. He was admired by his colleagues and respected by his students.

Michael was a religious man, humble person, caring son, devoted husband and loving father and grandfather.

In addition to his wife of 55 years, Carmen N. Chesney, he is survived by two daughters, Karen Ann and her husband, Ross A. Miles, of San Antonio, and Carol Lynne and her husband, John V. McPhaul, of Austin; a grandson, Barrett McPhaul, and three step-grandchildren, Daniel, Nicole and Lauren Miles.

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CHESNEY — Michael T. Chesney, Ph.D., Lt. Col (Ret.), 84, of Austin, Texas. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Harrell Funeral Home Chapel, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, Texas, with a Celebration of Life reception immediately following at Onion Creek Country Club, Demaret Room, Austin, Texas. Private interment will be at a later date at Assumption Mausoleum Chapel, Austin, Texas. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, P.O. Box 17575, Austin, TX, 78760, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences can be sent to www.harrellfuneralhomes.com.