Ronald Chaika

Ronald R. Chaika, 72, of McPherson, passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at his home in McPherson. Ron was a Senior Electronics and Instrumentation Technician at the NCRA Refinery for over 33 years, retiring in 1995. He had been a McPherson resident since 1962.

Ron was born April 1, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Walter J. and Catherine F. (Fordell) Chaika. He went to grade school in Bridgeport, CT and graduated from high school in Pine Plains, NY. He then attended Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ.

Ron was united in marriage to Joyce Madine Rudiger on November 17, 1963, in Wichita, Kansas. She preceded him in death on November 5, 1996.

Ron was a member of Countryside Covenant Church, McPherson, the U.S. Chess Federation; and the Hutchinson Coin Club. The game of chess was a real passion for Ron and he competed, taught, mentored, and coached nearly all his life. He once had the opportunity to play against world renowned chess player, Bobby Fischer, in an exhibition match. Ron was also a prodigious reader of books, particularly those concerning the sciences.

Survivors include: his son, Jason Chaika and life partner, Terry W. Bowers, of Topeka, Kansas; a cousin, Karen Banick, of Stratford, Connecticut; and aunt, Evelyn Poynter, of Stratford, Connecticut.

The funeral service will be at 2:00 PM, Monday, February 13, at Stockham Family Funeral Home with Rev. Jon Black officiating. Burial will be in Crestwood Memorial Park. There will be no visitation.

Memorial donations may be given to the American Lung Association or the Anatoly Karpov International School of Chess in Lindsborg, in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ronald Chaika please visit our Sympathy Store.