Peter R. Chaston, 78, of Kearney, MO died Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Peter was born on December 31, 1943 in the Bronx of New York City, NY to Peter P. and Stella (Boreski) Chaston.
Peter served in the Air Force as a weather technician and went on to obtain his Bachelor’s degree in Meteorology/Oceanography from New York University. Peter was employed by the National Weather Service for 27 years and during that time obtained his Master’s degree in Meteorology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In Madison he met his wife Mary and they married in Milwaukee, WI in 1977. During his time in the Weather Service, Pete developed the “Magic Snow Chart” which is still used by the Weather Service to measure snowfall.
In retirement, Pete wrote weather books and taught classes in meteorology at several Kansas City local universities. Pete had a love of doo-wop music and volunteered at the local radio stations in Kearney and Liberty, MO. He also provided weather updates. Pete, with his family, also loved to travel and had visited all 50 states and 26 countries.
Pete is survived by his wife Mary; daughter Valerie Marsh of Kansas City and grandchildren Sophia (9), Jonathan (7) and Emily Marsh (3).
Pete was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law Vicki (Chaston) Baglivi, Nick Baglivi; and son-in-law Andrew Marsh.
A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Pete’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 24, 2022 at Church of Annunciation, 701 N. Jefferson St. Kearney, MO. A Visitation will be held one hour prior to Mass. Private burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made on Peter’s behalf to his favorite charities: Church of the Annunciation or KPGZ 102.7 FM radio station in Kearney, MO. Condolences may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com Arrangements entrusted with Meyers Northland Chapel.
My sincere condolences to Mary and the Chaston family. We appreciate everything that Pete did for the radio station and will miss him.
Pete was a radio guy! He loved doing radio…board operations, producing and hosting his own doo-wop show on Sundays, weather reports, everything. He enjoyed working here at the station in any capacity. Pete filled in for me on the morning show while I was on vacation a few years back, and probably played every ABBA song ever recorded. We fondly remember that at the station and that story comes up now and again. Pete’s wife Mary said he “always loved doing the doo wop show and was greatful that he got to do it for almost five years on the station. I know he enjoyed it. He loved the listeners calling in and requesting songs and interacting with them. He loved finding and playing the songs and dedicating the songs to his listeners. He had listeners all over the world that would tune in just listen to the music he loved: 50’s and 60’s group harmony music. Doo-wop. Pete, you will be missed!
Val…I’m so glad to learn this lovely and unique history about your father. The “Magic Snow Chart” is such a neat legacy! You’re in my thoughts, and I’ll pray for your family’s peace and understanding during this time. Hugs, MJ
Hey Pete, You are the big brother I never had. I listen to your doowop show. So great to hear your voice. I will miss that. I remember how Vickie and I would pester you when I stayed in the Bronx and Staten Island homes. You are one special person.
To Mary and Valerie I am so sorry for your loss. Love cousin, Millie Groditski Persson.
Pete, I’m gonna miss your wiley ways. loved working with you at the ol’ KCXL studios. Your jokes and puns and love of doo-wop were what made you you. I loved every minute working with you. Now I will have to dig out all my Chaston-Groditski cds and play them loud!!!!
Having grown up with Peter we spent many Holidays with each others family. I even remember taking the ferry to
Staten Island before they built the Verrazano Bridge when I was a kid. I cannot express how sad my heart at
loosing my older cousin. He was funny, caring and smart and I am having trouble understanding that he isn’t here
anymore. My love and prayers go out to Mary, Valerie and the grandchildren.
Love Irene
To Mary, Valerie and the grandchildren he loved, I am so sorry for your loss. I’ll never forget the visits from Pete when we lived in California. Walter and Pete falling down on the floor in laughter from their unending quantity of jokes and puns, they could hardly get up from the floor to continue creating musical arrangements for the radio. They had such a great time. Our granddaughters have laughed so much at their songs, they even had our dog Barney howling in unison when they were “creating”. You’ll be missed Pete, may you rest in peace.
Pete was a genuinely nice guy! We worked together many years and I never saw him without a smile. He will be missed.
My memories of time spent with Pete go all the way back to my childhood where we wandered my neighborhood on Long Island posting notices about the lost head of Aunt Sauerkraut, playing baseball with a football, and eating mustard sandwiches. Whenever our family would visit the Chastons on Staten Island Pete and I would usually end up locked in his room with a guitar, tape recorder, and household appliances to compose and record ridiculous songs. We both enlisted in the Air Force and eventually, decades later, we reconnected and spent many days locked in my home studio re-recording all of our original idiotic music. Pete, Mary and Valerie made a visit to California where we spent time touring the sights in the Bay area as well as searching for hippies in Haight-Ashbury and Bolinas. I have only fond memories of Pete and will miss him dearly. I offer my heartfelt condolences to Mary, Valerie and Pete’s grandchildren. Love, Walt Groditski
Many apologies for my delayed post. Pete was one of a kind. We worked together for a number of years with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh where we bonded over our roots in New York City, snow storms, baseball, music and puns. I can still see Pete walking into the office with a bounce in his step…everyday. If he wasn’t smiling, something was wrong with the world. We lost contact many years ago, but when I came across the news of his passing, time stood still. Pete is very much missed.