Dr. Chester Crosby Roys

Coal Valley, Illinois Dr. Chester Crosby Roys, 89, of Coal Valley, formerly of Moline and Boston, died Monday, April 8, 2002, in his home. Services are 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Trimble Funeral Home, Moline. The Reverend Dr. Robert Miller will officiate. Burial is in Riverside Cemetery, Moline, where Moline American Legion Post #246 will present military honors. Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Science Department at Tufts University, Boston. Dr. Roys was born November 19, 1912, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Lawrence and Louise (Crosby) Roys. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a PhD degree in Marine Biology. He served in the U.S. Army during WW II as an entomologist instructing troops on malaria control. After the war, he owned a construction company with Lee Osborn in Muscatine, Iowa. He then served as Professor of Marine Biology at Tufts University, Boston for over 30 years, retiring in 1978. Following his retirement, he worked with his brother, Rufus, at Western Structural Company, Moline, until 1993, and remained Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company until his death. He was an honorary life member of Niabi Zoo, a member of First Congregational Church, Moline and the Putnam Museum, and a former member of Moline Rotary Club. Throughout his life, he was involved with Wildlife Conservation, Citizens Against Government Waste, Boy Scouts of America, Planned Parenthood, NAACP, and Indian Affairs. He loved sailing and was an extensive world traveler, especially to the West Indies, South America and Brazil. He took Tufts University students on trips each year, and studied whales with Rodger Paine. Chet is survived by nieces and nephews, Blake and Michelle Roys of Geneseo, Louise Roys, with whom he lived in Coal Valley, and Alice and Albert Orsborn of Moline; great-nieces and great-nephews, David and Erin Roys, Ruel and Rayna Roys, and Jacob and Kara Orsborn; and a cousin, Katie Clare Mazzeo and her children Rafe and Rima of Carmel, California. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Rufus H. Roys. This memorial may be viewed, and condolences sent to the family, at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com. END OF OBITUARY