Private funeral services are being held at the convenience of the family for Chester G. Daetsch, one of Hamburg's pioneer businessmen, auto and farm equipment dealer and civic leader, who died last Sunday in his 90th year. Friends paid their respects last night (Wednesday) in the W.L. Froehley Funeral Home on Lake St. The Rev. Edwin H. Sprague, assistant pastor of Hamburg Presbyterian Church is officiating with burial in Maplewood Cemetery, Springville. Born and raised on a farm near Gardenville, Mr. Daetsch came to Hamburg in the summer of 1911 to work in the Brodbeck garage and continue his education, graduating from Hamburg High School in the Class of 1912. For the next five years he worked in garages in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, San Francisco and Hamburg. In 1917 he married Wanda Margaret Ticknor and they established their own automobile and tractor business at their home on Pierce Avenue. A few years later he moved the business to new quarters at the top of Water Valley Hill and named it Hill Garage. Throughout most of his 55 year business career, lasting until 1972, he sold Hudson automobiles (later American Motors) and Bolens tractors along with other tractor and truck lines at various times. Mr. Daetsch was very active in professional organizations, serving as President of the Buffalo Automobile Dealers, Treasurer of the New York State Automobile Dealers Association and President of the Erie County Farm Equipment Dealers Association. He was long promenent in the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and served as its president shortly after World War II. From the Chamber luncheons originated at that time emerged the weekly Monday luncheons of professional men which still continue. He was leader of one of the first Boy Scout troups in the area. A 60-year member of the Fraternal Lodge 625 F&AM, Mr. Daetsch was a member of the Buffalo Consistory and the Shrine. He was affiliated with the Hamburg Presbyterian Church. A life-long avid gardener, he was active with the Men's Garden Club, and served as president. During the Second World War he and Mrs. Daetsch opened their home to two young refugees from France, Lisa Hafner Mundy, now of Syracuse, and Lina Hafner Miller of Mt. Carmel, 111. In 1951 he and Mrs. Daetsch were founding members of the Buffalo World Hospitality Association and later of the Foreign Student Association. They hosted many foreign visitors and in 1953 helped establish the American Field Service high school exchange program in Hamburg High From 1953 to 1956 they were "parents" to Herbert Dieter Hutbohm of Germany, Tadahiro Kubo of Japan and Frederic Chiffelle of Switzerland. Mrs. Daetsch died several years ago. Mr. Daetsch is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Richard P. Miller and Mrs. William H. Dougherty, both of Hamburg; a son Willard T. Daetsch of Ithaca; a sister, Lynne Daetsch Kerns of Ocean Springs, Miss.; and nine grandchildren: Lucinda Miller Casey of Columbus, Ind.; Deborh Miller Gabler, Willard Paige Miller, Melissa Margaret Miller and Jennifer Lynne Miller, all of Hamburg. Mr. David Dougherty of Plymouth, Mass.; Eric Rogers Dougherty now with the U.S. Armed Forces in Germany; Melinda Beth Daetsch and Brian Richard Daetsch both of Ithaca; six great grandchildren: Brian and Laura Casey, Sarah Gabler, Arron and Sean Dougherty and Jennifer Anne Dougherty.' He is also survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was also the father of the late Richard Chester Daetsch and brother of the late Fred. Charlotte. William, Clara and Irving Daetsch.
-- The Sun and the Erie County Independent Hamburg, New York
Thursday, January 27, 1983 Page 4