Chester Moutrie

Chester Lee (Chet) Moutrie passed peacefully and on his own terms on May 1st. Chet is survived by his wife Mary Pat, son Michael, daughter Ann, son-in-law Mike, grandson James, sister Eva and brother Alvin. He was a man of many talents who contributed greatly to our world, including being one of the original creators of GPS and helping to launch space shuttles as a NASA aerospace engineer. Born in Naylor, Missouri to Morris and Bernice, he loved telling stories about growing up with his two sisters (Gwena and Eva) and brother (Alvin). Chet and his family farmed cotton and kept pigs and chickens. While he never farmed after leaving his childhood home at 18, he always held a special place in his heart for tending to the land and kept a large garden for many years. Chet attended college at Missouri S&T (formerly the Missouri School of Mines), earning a degree in Computer Science. Known as "Gramps" to his TKE Brothers, he worked hard and played hard. From S&T he moved to San Diego to earn his Masters Degree, living in San Diego. He loved that he could surf in the morning and ski in the afternoon. In California he met the love of his life, Mary Pat. Set up on a blind date, and ever the practical man, he secretly visited her work and decided that she was quite pretty and worth having dinner with. Her happy, warm and chatty demeanor was the perfect match for his quiet and calm disposition. They instantly bonded, and Chet knew that she was "the one". They bought their first home in Mira Mesa and began to build their life together. After writing to his parents to share that he had proposed, Chet and Mary Pat went to St. Louis to get married. While there, they decided that when the time was right, they would move back closer to Chet's home to start their family. Their daughter Ann Marie, and son Michael, were born in St. Charles, Missouri and soon after they moved north to Lake Elmo, Minnesota. It was in Lake Elmo that they would stay for 34 years, raising both of their children and welcoming their grandson James. Chet found great joy in life. A stoic and serious man, he also had a sharp sense of humor and a smile that could light up any room. He loved to hunt and fish, and took many trips with his friends and brother. His favorite thing to do was explore the world with his wife. During the 5 years prior to his passing, Chet and Mary Pat were able to take many 'bucket list' vacations together. Visiting Hawaii, taking a Caribbean cruise, road tripping to Banff and going to New Zealand were adventures that they loved having. Chet Moutrie was loved by many, and the world was lucky to have him.