CHESTER SOLING

SOLING--Chester, father of Caytha Jentis, Courtney Smith and Cevin Soling, husband of Carole, grandfather of Sean and Sally Jentis and Brennan Smith, died in New Jersey on April 29th. He was 78. An architect, real estate developer, and philanthropist, Chester was known for his creative mind and independent spirit. He founded the children's hotel Piper's Hill, built The Orchards hotel in Williamstown , MA, and was president of Syracuse's Library Associates for 10 years in addition to being a trustee of Syracuse University where he endowed The Soling Program for Qualities of Mind Development. He opened the San Francisco Ship Model Gallery, a New York City gallery that sold models of famous ships and authored the book, We the People: Government to Serve, Not to Rule. Chester's community involvement included serving as a member of the Scarsdale Parent Teacher Association and as a Scarsdale auxiliary policeman. He also served as vice president of the Apartment Owners Advisory Council and was a member of the Stamford Area Commerce and Industry Association. In Williamstown, he served on several town committees and was elected a selectman. In Tucson, he was on the Advisory Board of the Tucson Opera League. He received the George Arents' Pioneer Medal in 1980. He strived to make the world a better place.