In Memory

Gerald F. Chick

Gerald F. Chick

Gerald Francis Chick 1942 – 2014

Gerald F. Chick, a resident of Pine Mountain Club since 1993, passed away August 23, 2014 at Bakersfield Heart Hospital after a three-month struggle with cancer. Born in Batavia, NY to Bernard and Selma Chick in 1942, he received his MBA from the University of Michigan, then went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force, assigned to Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota with the Space Missile Wing, a unit of the Strategic Air Command, which is America’s nuclear deterrent force of long range bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles. He was a missile launch and training officer, reaching the rank of captain. Gerry later followed other family members to Southern California, where he had a long career in building new homes, working for several major developers, such as Braemar, Calprop and Dale Poe Development. He did land acquisition studies and tract superintending, ending his career as vice president of construction. It was at one of his building projects, a master-planned development in the foothills of Glendale, that he met his future wife, Francine Parker, who was the broker on the tract. Upon moving to the Pine Mountain community, Gerry embarked on a sort of semiretirement, building one house per year, which his wife Francine, then employed at Pine Mountain Realty, would sell for him. Gerry had long collaborations with local professionals in the trades, many of whom became friends. Gerry also donated his skills to build the PMCPOA Dog Park. He also valued good neighbors and tried to be one as well. Many will remember him as that personable fellow in the straw hat, walking his cute little shepherd mix, Zoey, to the Pine Mountain Village Post Office each day. In addition to his marriage for over 20 years with Francine, there were two other longterm marriages to Gayle and Eva. He is also survived by sister-in-law Jane, nephew Mark and nieces Melissa and Tammy. Final resting place is Riverside National Cemetery, where close family and friends attended a committal service and military ceremony, sharing photos and memories. Thanks to all who have expressed condolences to Francine, and to all who have helped spread the word.