Gerald “Jerry” Warren Chase was born on July 9, 1934, in Glendale, California, to Elizabeth Bowman Chase and Robert Chase. His early years were spent in the northern Los Angeles area, with high school years at Santa Monica High School. Jerry went on to college at West Point in New York, and graduated in 1957. He first served in Korea with the engineering battalion, and later returned to study and earn a Masters Degree in Civil and Nuclear Engineering at University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. While there, he met Sara Homburg and they married in 1962.
Jerry served in the Army Corps of Engineers for twenty years, with his final assignment in Des Moines, Iowa. After the U.S. Army had switched to being a voluntary entry organization, Lt. Col. Chase was sent to Iowa to encourage the youth of the state to serve their country, learn and travel through their service. When Lt. Col. Chase retired from the Army, he took a teaching position at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, and also earned his Doctorate in Civil and Construction Engineering at that time.
Jerry was also a proud citizen of Ames. In his free time, Jerry volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club teaching the game of cribbage. The weekends were often spent working with Habitat for Humanity and later, Food at First.
Jerry Chase is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sara H. Chase, his two children, Jessica Jane of Ames and Elizabeth Chase Vivas, and his son-in-law Gerardo Vivas, of Oak Park, Illinois. He was much loved by his three grandchildren, Gilbert, Sarah and Carlo Vivas, as well as several nieces and a nephew.

A visitation will be held on March 28th, 2022, at Northcrest Community, 2300 Northcrest Parkway, from 1:00 until 5:00pm, with a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. in the Grand Room located off the main entrance. Call 515-232-6760 and press “0” for the operator for more information about Northcrest Community.

Memorials may be made in remembrance of Jerry to either The Boys and Girls Clubs of Story County, Ames Youth and Shelter Services, or Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa.

Gerald “Jerry” Thomas Solbeck, age 87, of Ames, died peacefully on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.

Friends may call from 1:00 until 3:00 P.M. on Monday, December 6, 2021 at the Adams Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at First United Methodist Church in Ames. Burial will be in Story Memorial Gardens in Ames.

Jerry was born the son of Harold Edward and Agatha Ann (Lowman) Solbeck on July 30, 1934 in Emmetsburg. He graduated from Humboldt High School in 1952. Jerry enlisted in the US Army in 1954 until 1956. Jerry graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Iowa State College in 1959.

Jerry was united in marriage with DeAnna “Dee” Kay Blessing on February 10, 1962 in Mason City. In 1966, Jerry and Dee moved to Ames. Jerry worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation for nearly 30 years as a civil engineer. He retired from Program Management in December of 1998.

Jerry was an active member at First United Methodist Church in Ames, being involved in United Methodist Men’s Group. He was also a member of the Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose, Kiwanis and Ballard Golf and Country Club.

Jerry was a loyal Iowa State Cyclone fan! He attended the Cyclone Coffee Club and was proud of his children being ISU graduates. Jerry was always very proud of his children and grandson. He was especially proud of his daughter, Kacia, when she won the World Food Conference award as well as his grandson, Jackson, who played football for New Mexico State University and earned his degree in three and a half years. Jerry attended many other coffee groups and was a social butterfly. He enjoyed traveling with his wife including going on cruises, staying at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Texas during the winter months or wintering in Texas for many years. He loved to play with his grandson, Jackson, and maybe get into some mischief with him. Jerry also was an avid golfer, Bridge and Cribbage player.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Dee in 2011. He is survived by his children, Kacia (Tim) Cain of Indianola and Tom Solbeck of Houston, TX; grandson, Jackson Solbeck of Houston, TX.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Adams Funeral Home and online condolences may be left for Jerry’s family at www.adamssoderstrum.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to First United Methodist Church in Ames.