Chester Stanley Wajda (b. October 17, 1937) of La Grange, IL passed away May 24, 2019 while holding his son’s hand, after a hard struggle Parkinson’s Disease and years-long battles with multiple cancers. He was 81.

Chet was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and former President of the Knights of Dabrowski in Chicago. One of the Chicago Polish-American community’s most distinguished leaders, he shepherded the “Knights” – through its core endeavor, “The Crusade for Education” – to steadfastly champion the funding of higher education among deserving students in the Polish-American community.

“Chet,” as he was known to friends, never forgot his heritage, and the conditions by which he came to live in his adopted homeland of the United States. Forced from his home in Kniażyce, Poland via Soviet forces in 1940, Chet – with his family – was transported by boxcar to endure gulag internment in Siberia. Even upon release from internment, Chet and his family were then shuttled from one region to another from 1943 through 1945 – being placed in deportation camps throughout present-day Iran, Pakistan, and remote parts of India.

Through the hard work of his brother, Chet’s small family gained unlikely passage to the United States. In high school, Chet excelled in his athletic pursuits at the Orchard Lake Schools near Detroit, Michigan. He thrived in team sports like football – winning the state championship in 1955 – and also Track & Field, setting the state record in Michigan for pole vaulting in 1956 – a record that stood for over 20 years.

After High School, Chet served with honor and distinction in the 101st Airborne (paratrooper) Division of the United States Army, from 1963-1969.

Chet then moved back to the Chicago area and worked hard to build a new life in La Grange – raising a family, and pursuing the American Dream. Already a dutiful son to his mother Mary, Chet became a devoted husband to his wife Maxine, a dedicated father to their children, and eventually came to enjoy the highlight of his life: the role of a doting “grandpa” to his beloved grandson Mark.

He was a fighter his entire life. Because Chet remembered the people that inspired and influenced his early years, Chet made The Knights of Dabrowski and the Crusade for Education his core mission, leading the organization for over 30 years. Under Chet, the “Knights” helped more than 1,200 students in the Chicago area – granting over $1,300,000 in scholarships to pursue the dreams not available to Chet or his brethren. Under Chet, the flame of the Crusade for Education burned brightly, for all to aspire to.

Chet is survived by his loving wife Maxine; his devoted daughter Michele (Johannes), son-in-law Andrew, and adoring grandson Mark; his proud son Ches and daughter-in-law Jennifer; and his sister-in-law Pauline Hefer.