Arthur W. "Bud" Chaffee passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2010 in Ojai. He was a fourth generation San Buenaventuran, born in in San Buenaventura on Dec. 1, 1922 to Grant Leslie Chaffee, Sr. and Lucille Veronice Booth Chaffee at the old Bard Hospital. His great-grandfather, Walter Scott Chaffee, came to San Buenaventura in 1861. Walter S. Chaffee, first mayor of San Buenaventura, established the Chaffee & McKeeby Dry Goods Store in 1862, the oldest established department store in California, and it later became the Chaffee, Gilbert & Bonestel Store on the corner of Palm and Main Streets. His grandfather, Arthur Leslie Chaffee, ran the store until 1929. The store became the Ventura Department Store and at present there a bank on the location. Arthur's eighth great-grandfather, Thomas Chaffe, came to Hingham, Mass. in 1637 from England. His fourth great-grandfather was Pablo Antonio de Cota, who was a soldier with the escort with Gaspar de Portola and Father Junipero Serra, helping with the construction of the Southern California missions. Arthur was a Los Californiano. Art Chaffee graduated from Oxnard High School in 1941. He lettered all four years and became captain of the tennis team. He joined the Navy after graduation. He trained in Norman, Okla. to be a machinist mate, re-building fighter aircraft engines (F4-U Hellcats, Wildcats and Corsairs) on Maui, Hawaii. He was attached to C.A.S.U. #32 (Carrier Aircract Service Unit) on Maui. Before being stationed in Maui, Art was stationed in San Diego as part of a crew on a PBY Air-Sea Rescue seaplane. During his time stationed at San Diego, Art volunteered to be part of crew of men to assemble a captured Japanese Zero fighter plane which had been captured in the Aleutian Islands and brought back to San Diego Naval Air Station to be re-assembled and flown again for test purposes for Navy air commanders and pilots. This was one of the biggest steps in winning the war in the Pacific. [http://www.ww2wrecks.com/portfolio/the-akutan-zero-the-first-intact-to-be-captured-by-the-us-in-1942-and-the-last-flight-of-tadayoshi-koga/] In addition to rebuilding aircraft engines, Art was part of the Shore Patrol for about a year and delivered mail over the island using a Harley Davidson motorcycle with a sidecar [he told the commanding officer he could drive a motorcycle but he never had been on one] so he was volunteered thru command to deliver mail. Upon discharge Art attended Ventura Junior College and Cal-Poly, San Luis Obispo. In July 1952, Art married Alice Eugenia Fowler Scott in Las Vegas, Nev. They were married for 58 years. Alongside his father, Grant Chaffee, and his brother, Grant Chaffee Jr., Art worked the Chaffee Ranch in Oxnard, located on Santa Clara Avenue near Saticoy. He had many fond memories of his days on the ranch. Art went to work for Raytheon, Northrup and ABEX Corporation where he worked as a pump inspector supervisor. He was a master wiring technician and was involved in the wiring of one of the Apollo capsules. Art loved aviation and cars. He enjoyed flying planes as well as building and flying model airplanes. He belonged to a model airplane group in Ventura County. In the mid 1950's and 1960's, Art would have his R/C friends come out to the ranch and fly. He and his son, Terry, spent many happy hours building and flying model airplanes together. The Chaffee family enjoyed playing tennis. Along with his wife, Alicia, and son, Terry, he was an avid tennis player well known in Ventura County. He also volunteered his time for many years at the annual Ojai Tennis Tournament. Art Chaffee is survived by his wife, Alicia, of Ojai; son, Terry W. Chaffee, of Carlsbad, step-daughter, Kathy Ventura Chaffee of Ventura; stepson Wayne Scott, of Los Gatos; brother, Grant Leslie Chaffee Jr., of Ventura, nephew, Scott Chaffee, of Ventura, niece, Sharon Chaffee Ferro, of Oakview; grand-daughter, Esther Ralston, of Chico, and other family members in California, Massachusetts and Washington. Art was well known in the county and had many friends. He will be missed greatly by those who knew him. The family would like to thank Dr. Halvorson, the staff of the Ojai Valley Hospital and Convalescent Hospital, and Livington Hospice for their concern, kindness and concern. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 9 at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura, with Mr. Dan Tillotson of the Ojai Church of Christ officiating. Private interment will occur on a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, Ventura.

Per CA Birth Index Arthur W. Chaffee was born 1 Dec 1922 Male Ventura, mother's maiden name Booth

Per 1930 U.S. Federal census Arthur W. Chaffee is living San Buenaventura, Ventura, California, born abt 1922 California Son, father born CA, mother born MA

Per SSI Death Records Arthur William Chaffee born 1 Dec 1922, died 3 Mar 2010 Ojai, Ventura, California