Memorial service for MechSE emeritus professor John Chato to be held on Nov. 20

6/19/2012 By Linda H. Conway

John C. Chato University friends and colleagues of Professor Emeritus John Chato, will be saddened to learn that he passed away at his home on November 16. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20 at the First Presbyterian Church, 602 W. Green, in Urbana.

Written by By Linda H. Conway

John C. Chato
John C. Chato
John C. Chato

University friends and colleagues of Professor Emeritus John Chato, will be saddened to learn that he passed away at his home on November 16. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20 at the First Presbyterian Church, 602 W. Green, in Urbana.

Chato joined the faculty of Mechanical Engineering in 1964 and served the department and the university until his retirement in 1996. Following his retirement, he remained active in the alumni board and often attended departmental events.

Professor Chato was instrumental in establishing a campus-wide bioengineering program at the university and served as the first chairman of its executive committee. In 2001 he and his wife Elizabeth established the John C. and Elizabeth J. Chato Award in Bioengineering to honor outstanding undergraduate students engaged in activities related to bioengineering.

Following the service the family will receive friends and loved ones at a reception in the Fellowship Hall. Condolence may also be offered at the Renner-Wikoff website,

Dr. John Clark Chato
(December 28, 1929 - November 16, 2010)

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Professor Emeritus John Clark Chato joined the church Triumphant on November 16, 2010 after a lengthy illness. He passed peacefully at home.

He is survived by wife, Beth Chato, his children and their families- Chris Chato and Wayne Niemann of Durham, North Carolina; David, Cathy, and Paul Chato of Rocky River, Ohio; and Susan, Darryl, and Kyle Silver of Urbana.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Ray Chato and grandson, Trent Silver.

John was born on December 28, 1929 in Budapest, Hungary.

He came to the United States after graduating from high school. He earned a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, where he met his wife of 56 years, Beth Owens.

Dr. Chato added a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Math from M.I.T.

He was a Professor of Mechanical, Biological, and Nuclear Engineering at the University of Illinois from 1964 until retiring in 1996.

Dr. Chato was world renowned in his field, received numerous awards, and published multiple articles. He particularly enjoyed his work with graduate students which continued well into his retirement.

Dr. Chato was active in many professional and community organizations including ASME, ASHRAE, AIMBE, Izaak Walton League, Audubon Society, the Exchange Club, the M.T.D. Board, and the Urbana Plan Commission.

He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, serving as Trustee, Elder, Story Teller, and Bell Ringer. He was an avid tennis player.

He and Beth were world travelers. John will be greatly missed although his impact on the community will be long remembered. Picture him now playing tennis with his grandson Trent in the clouds.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, November 20 at 2:00 p.m. at 1st Presbyterian Church of Urbana (on Green Street).

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the 1st Presbyterian Church of Urbana or the Champaign County Audubon Society.

Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.


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This story was published June 19, 2012.