George L. Chaney

George Chaney was born in Coffeyville, Kansas on March 16, 1930, the son of Bert and Eva Chaney. He was the ninth son in a family of 17 children. He attended elementary school, Jr. High, and Field Kindley High School graduating in 1948. After graduating from Coffeyville College in 1950, he continued his education at Kansas University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education. At that time, his goal was to return to Coffeyville to teach and coach football. After teaching for two years at Roosevelt Jr. High, things changed drastically when the President of Coffeyville College asked him to join the college faculty in the Mathematics Department. His initial goal of being a coach was replaced by the goal of wanting to teach mathematics at a four-year college. George remained in the Coffeyville College Mathematics Department for six years, and he spent his summers earning a Master of Science Degree from Kansas State Teacher’s College in Pittsburg. In 1960, he was selected ‘Teacher of the Year’ by the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce. He continued his studies through National Science Foundation awards at Clemson University and the University of Kansas, where he received his Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics Education in 1967. He spent 1962 to 1967 in the Mathematics Department of Pittsburg State as an associate professor. In 1968, he accepted the position of Professor of Mathematics at Ottawa University, a four-year Baptist College in Ottawa, Kansas. In 1990, he was honored as the ‘Sybil Martin Distinguished Professor’ at Ottawa University. His teaching career included 42 years in the classroom and one year as Provost of Ottawa University. During his tenure at Ottawa University, he continued his interest in athletics, built a home on a five-acre plot, and enjoyed working in the yard. Family, a very important part of his life, consists of his wife Dorothy (Bruce) Chaney. They were married on May 31,1952 – 3 sons and one daughter – Chris, Curtis, Craig, and Brenda. Also, very important to him were daughters-in-law, Kala (Chris), Lisa (Curt), and Krista (Craig) and son-in-law Rex Cummings. Friends have always been very special to him also. We are forever grateful to all of you. George is a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Kiwanis International, and Kansas University Alumni. He will be missed by all of us. His service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 401 W. 13th Street, Ottawa, Kansas at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2021. A cookie reception will be held in Roberts Hall at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service where friends can meet the family. Memorial Contributions may be made to: Ottawa University, 1001 South Cedar Street, Ottawa, Kansas 66067; First Baptist Church, 410 South Hickory Street, Ottawa, Kansas; or Westminster Presbyterian Church, 401 West 13th Street, Ottawa, KS 66067.