Chet St.Clair As We Knew Him
Chet
St. Clair was a member in long standing of the ETI Corral 14 Western Wagons. He
joined the group in 1989 and was an active member until his passing this year. He
was Wagonmaster from 1993 through 2004. When Chet first started doing the Death
Valley Wagon Train he was riding his mule Bertha as an out-rider with the
Seale's wagon. After that first Death Valley experience I guess it's safe to
say he was "hooked" He fell in love with everything about Death
Valley and in 1990 built his own wagon, broke a team of mules to pull it and
was ready for the wagon adventure. He was joined by his wife Pat and their 5 yr
old grandson Willy on this first drive. In coming years his wagon welcomed kids
and grandkids plus a few extras. Chet was a dedicated participant in the Death
Valley Wagon Train. He worked tirelessly to improve relations between Corral
14, the ‘49ers and the park superintendent. One of Chet's proudest achievements
was to have Corral 14 participate in the 1999 Sesquicentennial Wagon Train with
a representative six wagons. As the wagon train pulls out of Wades Monument
this year many will be thinking of Chet and all the times he called
"Wagons Ho!".
by ETI Corral 14 Western Wagons Wagon Master, Norm Noftsier
The Death Valley '49ers Fall, 2012 Newsletter
Chester W. St. Clair, Wagon Master, Death Valley
‘49er, and friend to all, passed away August 15, 2012 at age 72. The Death Valley ‘49ers wish to extend our
deepest condolences to Chester’s family and friends.
Chester
was born on May 26, 1940, in San Ardo to William R. St. Clair and Gladys Chloe
St. Clair. He moved to Arkansas in 1951
after the death of his father and lived with his grandparents. His grandfather farmed with a mule team.
There he learned to harness and drive horses and mules, which ever was
available.
In high
school, Chester was involved with wrestling, boxing and FFA. He then joined the Navy in 1957 and was
stationed in San Diego, before transferring to the USS General J.C.
Breckinridge, a military transport ship, making 33 trips across the Pacific.
In
1958, Chester met Pat Hildreth in San Diego and married her in Nov. 1959 while
living in Oakland, where they stayed until he was discharged in 1961. He went to work at Owens Illinois Glass in
Oakland. The couple settled in Pleasanton where their son Raymond was born in
1962.
After
numerous calls from his father-in-law Bob Hildreth to take over the business in
Ridgecrest, Chester and his family finally moved in 1963. He operated a tow
truck and wrecking yard during the day and then went to work as a car salesman
in the evening. After Bob was killed in
an auto accident in 1964, Chester took on the responsibility to operate
Hildreth Motors, a Dodge Dealership and AAA Towing company with 24 employees.
In
1966, the couple had their daughter Theresa and their second son Thomas in
1969. In 1988, Thomas was killed in an auto accident.
In
1985, the dealership was sold and they changed the name to St. Clair
Automotive, remaining a towing, used car lot and auto body shop. First and foremost, he loved driving a
one-ton truck and the business he had for 64 years with the Automobile
Association Club of Southern California.
After a
trip in 1990, Chester started a tradition to go to Death Valley in a wagon
driven by mules, beginning in 1991. They
didn’t miss a trip until 2011. He was
the wagon master for nine years. Chester
was involved with the California Sesquicentennial in 1999 where he joined
fellow wagon masters and had a 100-mile drive into Stockton with all original
wagons. In Ridgecrest, he hauled the
Fair directors and Santa in the “old wagon” in the parade the last few
years. He loved seeing the kids react to
Santa.
He is
preceded in death by his parents William St. Clair and Gladys Chloe St. Clair
and son Thomas St. Clair. He is survived
by his wife if 52 years Pat of Ridgecrest, son Raymond of Ridgecrest, daughter Theresa
Knight of Ridgecrest, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services
were held on Aug. 23 at 9:30 a.m. at Calvary Chapel, officiated by Terry
Morrison. He was laid to rest at Desert
Memorial Park.
Excerpt from Death Valley ‘49ers Keepsake 49, Wagons Ho! Corral 14 — Its Living Heritage:
Wagon Master 1993-2004
Chet St. Clair experienced Death Valley for the first time in 1989. He rode his mule Bertha as an outrider with Cary Seale’s wagon. I guess it’s safe to say he was hooked. The experience started a long time association with Corral 14 and Death Valley. Chet fell in love with everything about Death Valley and in 1990 built his own wagon and broke a team so he could participate in the drive that year. He was accompanied by his wife Pat and their five year old grandson, Willy. Chet has been a dedicated participant to this drive every year since becoming wagon master in 1993. He has worked tirelessly to improve the relationship between Corral 14, the 49er’s and park rangers. Chet and Pat are always part of the wagon train and have brought their children and grandchildren along to experience the wonders of Death Valley. In 1999 Chet was the driving force that put Corral 14 into the Sesquicentennial Wagon Train. He led approximately six wagons on this great occasion.