Chester (Chet) Gausta | Passages

Published 10:54 am Friday, February 3, 2012

POULSBO — Chester (Chet) Gausta, born in Poulsbo to Albert and Inga Tideman. Sept. 12, 1916 — Jan. 16, 2012. Predeceased by wife Barbara, brothers Ralph and Lloyd, and an infant sister. Survived by nieces and nephews, cousins, Barbara’s three children and their families, including granddaughters Nicole and Brianna.

Memorial service Feb. 11, 3 p.m., at Poulsbo First Lutheran Church.

Graduated in 1937 from North Kitsap High School. Offered a basketball scholarship at Washington State College, but opted to play shortstop for the semipro Poulsbo Town Team. Played on Poulsbo VFW basketball team in 1948 national tournament.

Served in New Guinea in WWII, honorably discharged in 1945 as staff sergeant.

Famous for catching state-record 70½-pound chinook salmon in 1964; the fish is on display at the Poulsbo Historical Museum. Wrote many magazine and newspaper articles about sports and fishing, and was a sports columnist for The Herald. Inducted into Kitsap Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.

Held numerous jobs. His favorites: Ralph’s Shoprite, Jim’s Richfield, fishing in Alaska and cooking on the tugboat P&T Pioneer.

Member of Poulsbo First Lutheran, Poulsbo Historical Society, VFW, Elks and Northwest Outdoor Writers Association.

Family thanks the caring staff at Montclair Park, Martha & Mary and Group Health Home Health.

— Family of Chester (Chet) Gausta