Chester Opalsky

Chester D. Opalsky, Ph.D., D. Sc. August 30, 1926 – January 15, 2015age 88Arlington, VAChester Chet D. Opalsky, age 88 of Crystal Towers in Arlington Virginia, passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2015. He was a bachelor and the final survivor of his siblings. He was predeceased by his two brothers: Vincent Opalsky and Stephen Pal Opalsky; and by his five sisters: Laura Gorka, Walterine Terry Palesky, Helen Breskovic, Stella Helenson, and Chesteria Jay Sapet; and his niece, Donna Gorka Baldwin. He is survived and will be missed by his 8 nieces, 3 nephews, and numerous great nieces and nephews. Dr. Opalsky was born in Braddock, Pennsylvania on August 30, 1926 to Antoinette and Stanislaus Opalsky, who had emigrated from Poland. He was a graduate of Scott High School in North Braddock. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Asiatic Pacific during World War II. Upon his honorable discharge, he entered the University of Pittsburgh under the G.I. Bill. He graduated in biochemistry and entered the US Army a second time as a first lieutenant. During his tours of duty he served in Germany and was assigned to Ft. Dietrich in Frederick, Maryland; to the Veterans Hospital in Brooklyn NY; and to several posts in the Washington, D.C. area. He retired as a Captain from active duty in 1968 after which he served in the U. S. Army Reserves. Captain Opalsky was active in veterans groups as a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW Post # 127 District of Columbia where he served as Post Commander and National Aide-de-Camp. He was also a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans DAV Post 10, Arlington-Fairfax, Virginia where he also served as Post Commander. Dr. Opalsky was a recipient of the Republican Senatorial Medal of Freedom.Dr. Oplasky earned a Master of Science in Education at American University and an MMD and a PhD from the University of Florida. He studied medicine at Xochicalco, Centro De Estudios Universitarios in Ensada, B. C., Mexico. He practiced as a doctor of homeopathic medicine and was an ordained minister. He was an active member of a number of professional societies including the American Society of Microbiologists. He worked for the Marriott Corporation and for a time worked with fellow veterans in the Veterans Cab Company. He was an avid motorcyclist and marathon runner. He was a long-time resident of Crystal Towers in Arlington, Virginia. Captain Opalsky will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on August 26, 2015 at an 11:00 ceremony. Those who wish to pay their respects are asked to assemble at the Fort Myer Old Post Chapel, Arlington, VA at 10am. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Cunningham-Turch Funeral Home in Old Towne Alexandria. Memory tribute may be sent to the family at https://www.cunninghamfuneralhome.net/obituary