It was July 7, 1948, a beautiful temperate day in Toledo, Ohio, when Chauncey Russel Hacker, Jr. made his debut. He was the first-born son of Chauncey Sr. and Barbara Ann (Mummert) Hacker, and real-life baby doll for his sisters Jo Ann and Janet.
Nineteen months later, he met his sibling and life-long best friend Dustin (Dorothy). The two spent their childhood playing in and surrounded by nature, coming home for meals and to sleep. That love of nature persisted throughout Chauncey’s life. A man fiercely proud of his intellect, he left the Colorado School of Mines and the two full-time jobs that covered tuition payments and living expenses, to build a career in the nascent computer industry.
He traveled the world in his work and was involved in projects as diverse as nuclear testing, oil field drilling, and Y2K preparation for financial institutions. Many found it ironic that a man whose last name was Hacker worked in computers.
In the late 1970’s, Chauncey moved to England at the behest of his employer. While there he was able to take his mother to Scotland where they visited sites and castles tied to Robert the Bruce. Being a descendant of the Scottish king through his mother’s family, a fact Chauncey loved to share, he was very proud and happy to provide his mom with that experience. September 2, 1978, folks in Houston had their eyes on the sky, watching the world record for flying outside loops being set, but Chauncey’s eyes were only on his bride, Gwendolyn Yvonne Raesner Arrington. They made their home in England, until moving to Dallas, Texas where their son, Chauncey (Trey) Russel Hacker, III was born. In retirement, Chauncey would channel Shakespeare’s character Hamlet, believing, “To golf or not to golf, that is a stupid question.”
When Dustin could no longer live alone, Chauncey said goodbye to his friends and golf buddies in Dallas and moved to Idaho to care for his brother. After Dustin’s passing, Chauncey stayed on in Idaho, but it became apparent to his sister Janet that he needed the assistance he always tried to provide others. Doctors gave him the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s after his 2021 arrival in Platte City, and since then he’s tried to focus on finding the joy in each day given, making others laugh, and taking care of his family and friends. The dining room at Benton House Tiffany Springs may never again ring with his, “Yee Haw”, but no one he met there will ever forget it. So we say, “See ya later, alligator,” as he whispers, “After while, crocodile.”
Chauncey was welcomed home on August 15, 2024, by his parents, his brother Dustin and his sister Janet.
He leaves his son, Trey, and his grandchildren, Chauncey IV and Matilda of Altamonte Springs, Florida; a sister, Jo Ann (Hacker) Webb of Madison, Tennessee; a brother Mark (Gayle) Hacker of Centennial, Colorado; a brother-in-law Terrence Durrill of Platte City, Missouri; the niece who cared for him as he waged his Alzheimer’s battle, Katherine (Lance) Foster of Platte City, Missouri; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Private services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. Arrangements By: Rollins Funeral Home—Platte City, MO.
