Gordon V. McChesney; Retired Engineer

Gordon V. McChesney, a retired engineer, died June 24 at his home in Camarillo with his family at his side. He was 82.

He was born Feb. 16, 1918, in Los Angeles, one of five children. During the Depression he lived with his family at Vasquez Rocks in Agua Dulce, northeast of Saugus. They later moved to Glendale and he graduated from Hoover High School, where he set several track records. He went on to Glendale College.

One summer he attended one of the last Citizens Military Horse Cavalry training camps in Monterey.

McChesney graduated from the Merchant Marine Academy in 1942, serving in World War II. The ship he served on was torpedoed off the coast of Africa by a German U-boat and sank. The crew reached safety on the African coast by traveling about 90 miles at sea in their lifeboats.

After the war, McChesney graduated from UCLA and married Eleanor Embree.

He worked for Pacific Telephone as an engineer until his retirement.

McChesney enjoyed running, camping, biking, sailing, genealogy and keeping in touch with his family and friends via computer. His family said it will remember his hard work, commitment to them and sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, and his brothers John G. and Gerald.

He is survived by a son, Gordon of West Jordan, Utah; daughters Muriel Byrd of Maitland, Fla., Eleanor Lynn of Santa Barbara, and Elissa Bunker of Camarillo; a brother, Roderic McChesney; a sister, Muriel Arnold; and 11 grandchildren.

Graveside services are scheduled at noon today at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo. Arrangements are under the direction of Camino del Sol Memorial Center and Funeral Home in Oxnard.

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Ventura County obituaries are compiled by Linda Herron. They are published free of charge as a public service to readers, based on information provided by mortuaries.