Chet grew up in North Portland near Peninsula Park, where he spent a significant amount of his childhood playing basketball. He attended Central Catholic High School, where his mother knew the nuns would raise him up! After graduating from the University of Portland with a degree in education, Chet began a lifetime of educating and coaching, mostly on the Oregon Coast. Throughout his life, Chet continued to follow the sports programs of his alma maters and contributed financially to those learning institutions for the remainder of his life. In 2010, he was recognized by Central Catholic in their “Hall of Friends” for his financial support and was also inducted into the “President’s Club” at the University of Portland.
When Chet took his first teaching position in Sublimity at Saint Bonifice High School, he took his younger brother with him in an effort to help raise him; he was always mentoring, even as a big brother! Chet then transferred to Tillamook Catholic High School teaching and coaching. His next stop was the Tillamook School District, where he taught Social Studies classes and coached a little bit of everything…boys’ golf, basketball, and football, along with girls’ golf, basketball, and softball, and even track and field! The girls’ basketball team was an icon for a decade and lovingly referred to as “Chet’s Angels” by the school and community. Those who were fortunate enough to be known as one of the Angels held that name with high distinction, and many little girls spent their Sunday afternoons in the THS gym attending free clinics and hoping to become an Angel some day. Chet finished his career in Tillamook serving as Athletic Director and retired from the Cheesmakers in 1993. Neah-Kah-Nie High School then took the opportunity of Chet’s newfound free time to hire him as their girls’ basketball coach, where he went on to coach the Pirates for seven years. Chet supported both of these high school sports’ programs well into his retirement by collecting pop cans at 5 cents apiece and donating the proceeds to the athletic departments. That small gesture eventually totaled over $20,000 deposited into THS’s “Chet Fund” to benefit young student athletes! Chet was also a class advisor and enjoyed remaining connected to his former students and attending all of the class reunions. He spent his entire life influencing and raising up generations of high schoolers in Tillamook County, influencing them as a teacher, coach, mentor, and friend.
Chet was obviously passionate about sports, but he was also a walking encyclopedia of sports’ statistics; he could describe in great detail the teams, scores, years, players, and memorable plays over his many years of coaching. Although his love of coaching began early (as a high school senior he coached baseball for the Catholic Youth Organization), as an adult, he was still a fan and an athlete. He was devoted to the New York Yankees and was also an avid golfer, playing as much as he could. He enjoyed his many friendships at Alderbrook Golf Course, where he was President of the Men’s Club for years, as well as being the Handicap Chairman. Chet oversaw many local tournaments and was instrumental in their success; he provided a great deal of dedication to the golfing community. Chet enjoyed the tranquility of his home, facing the 9th fairway of Alderbrook and managed to collect thousands of balls in his yard from friends’ errant shots.
Chet was a volunteer for the Tillamook County Fair, manning the parimutuel window for the horse races for many seasons. Chet enjoyed traveling to Palm Springs with friends from Tillamook to socialize and golf; it was a highlight every year.
Chet was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Virginia Howlett, and his brothers. Although Chet had no traditional family of his own, he created a whole community of true family everywhere he went: Fred Meyer, The Fern, Alice’s, TCCA for ice cream cones, Cabin Coffee, and beyond. His influence and genuine love of others will never be forgotten.
Well done, Chet.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, June 23rd at 2PM at the Alderbrook Golf Course “The Mook”.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Tillamook High School Athletic Department for boys and girls golf, softball and girls’ basketball. Contact Tillamook Athletic Department 503-842-2566 ext. 2325.
