Robert Chesney was born on May 30, 1935 to Roy Price and Ida Hilton Chesney in Charlotte, North
Carolina. They moved to a chicken farm in Beltsville, Maryland in 1937 where Bob was
fortunate to gain two sisters—Lila and Pat. As a teenager, Bob and his friends took off for
many adventures with their horses and rifles for target practice and looking for treasure in the
nearby gravel pit, creek, or woods.
In 1950 the family moved to a small farm in Damascus where Roy raised beef cattle. Ida
taught 8th grade English, History, and Math at Damascus H.S. for two years, then took herself
and her children to Richard Montgomery H.S. in Rockville where Bob graduated in 1953.
By that time, Bob had visions of becoming a concert pianist and practiced constantly—
morning, noon, and night. Since he played so beautifully, and it was the great joy of his life,
everyone learned to put up with, and even to love it.
Bob attended Western Maryland College in Westminster, Maryland; and went on to attend
the University of Maryland Dental School in Baltimore. Graduating in May 1960, he joined the
Air Force as a Dental Officer with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He was later promoted to
Captain, serving for two years at Columbus Air Force Base, Columbus, Mississippi.
One of Bob’s proudest achievements was the spacious home he built on three acres of
waterfront property on the Chester River in Chestertown, Maryland, complete with a 75 x 40
foot “music listening room”. There he enjoyed countless hours of classical music bliss
surrounded by four refrigerator-sized Tannoy speaker cabinets and a 30 inch subwoofer.
In the 1970s, Bob fell in love and married Doris E. McKee. For their honeymoon they took a
cross-country trip to Alaska, with stops in the Grand Tetons and other points of interest along
the way. A turning point in their lives was when together they surrendered their lives to Jesus
Christ and were publicly baptized as a witness of their faith.
In August of 1981 Bob and Doris bought a home in Wheaton, MD along with Doris’ son Jim
Golden, and his wife Terry. Bob opened a home office and also worked with Nicholas
Lasijczuk, D.D.S., in Odenton, MD, where he continued to practice for the next 28 years. Jim
and Terry had four children in rapid succession—David, Amy, Josh, and Katie—providing Bob
with the rank and title “Grandpa Chez.” He gladly carried out the duties of Grandpa-hood,
allowing them to climb on him, teaching them how to floss their teeth, and giving them rides
up and down on his dental chair. Years later he would have the joy of repeating those
activities with his great-grandchildren, Micaela and Aidan.
Bob’s wife Doris contracted cancer in the early ’80s, which led to an extended stay in
Georgetown University Hospital until her passing on October 31, 1985. Every day for almost
two years, Bob would work a full day in Odenton serving people’s dental needs, and then
drive to the hospital to spend the evening by his wife’s side until late in the evening before
returning home.
For the better part of 30 years, the Golden Family enjoyed the steady, quiet strength of Bob’s
presence in their lives. Whether over coffee before work, or during long periods at the dining
room table, discussions ranged anywhere from the lives of Beethoven, Bach, and other
composers, to the latest research on the nutritional benefits of the coffee bean. Bob was a
well of knowledge; and it was his joy to share it with those around him. Among his greatest
pleasures in life were attending a concert, ballet, or the Opera, accompanied by his granddaughter
Amy, or another family member or friend.
Professionally, Bob practiced dentistry for 49 years, often serving seven days a week.
Someone was always dropping by or calling with a tooth-ache, and he wanted to be there.
Because of his simple no-frills lifestyle, he was able to serve people who otherwise could not
have afforded dental care.
Robert Roy “Bob” Chesney went to be with the Lord unexpectedly, on May 20, 2009.
Survivors include his sisters, Lila Cave Erickson and Patricia West, two nieces, two nephews,
and nine great nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his much-loved family,
friends, and community.