ROCKLAND — Chester Kellogg Hale Sr., 94, of Rockland, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2016, at St. Andrews Nursing Home in Boothbay Harbor.

He was predeceased by his parents, C. Harry and Dorothy Douglas Hale; his brother, Douglas Hale; his daughter, Lucinda Hale; and his stepdaughter, Marilyn O'Connor. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Muriel Plimpton Hale; his three children, Deborah Barrett, Chester K. (Sharon) Hale Jr. and Jeffrey (Diane Miner) Hale; his four stepdaughters, Susan (Michael Shook) Plimpton, Sherry (Gerard) Blouin, Caroline Barre Plimpton and Jayne P. (Glenn J.) Dwyer; his brother, Nathan Hale; his sisters, Dorothy Simpson and Ann Hale; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great great-grandchildren.

Chet was born Sept. 7, 1921, in Middletown, Conn., where he grew up living and working on the family's shade tobacco farms. He graduated in 1940 from Suffield Academy and attended Middlebury College in Vermont, where he met his first wife, Miriam Fleming.

He served three years in the U.S. Army, two of which he spent overseas in France and Germany during World War II. He was a part of the 894th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division and a colonel's driver. After his honorable discharge in January 1946, Chet returned to Connecticut, where he served 11 years as a farm superintendent for Consolidated Cigar Corp. In 1957 the family moved to Rome, Pa., where they operated a dairy farm the next 25 years. While operating the dairy farm he served on a number of agricultural boards and agencies. It was during this time he earned his pilot's license and enjoyed flying his Piper Cub and Cherokee 270.

In April of 1984 Chet married Muriel Plimpton. During retirement he and Muriel enjoyed traveling, while also spending winters in Fort Myers, Fla., and summers in Owls Head. He enjoyed painting, golf, playing cards, and spending time with friends. Chet had a love for life and people.

A memorial service and celebration of Chet's life will be held on Thursday, May 19, at 10:30 a.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 15 Wesley Lane, off Route 17, in Rockland. The Rev. Linda Campbell-Marshall will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Aldersgate UMC, 15 Wesley Lane, Rockland, ME 04841, or Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter, 383 U.S. Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins.