Chester Roistacher
June 17, 1924 – September 29, 2022
Chester Roistacher was born in New York City in 1924 and passed away in Riverside, California on September 29, 2022.
Chet joined Songmakers in 1971. He was also a founding member of the Riverside Folk Society. He was a wonderful singer, mandolin player and raconteur.
Chet and his wife Jean, who passed away in 2014, hosted magical musical gatherings at their cabin in Pine Cove twice a year for forty years.
Chet was a world-renowned citrus virologist at UC Riverside. He traveled the world helping save citrus crops and training others to do the same. He published several books about his life and his work, which are available at Amazon.com.
More than anything, Chet will be missed for his loving positivity and unwavering friendship.
Riverside Folksong Society
Chet Roistacher, our well-loved founder and friend, passed away last night.
It’s truly impossible to sum up the impact Chet had on so many people and the enthusiasm and love he shared with all of us. May he continue to be an example to us all.
Below is the obituary we’ll be posting on our website tomorrow.
Chester Roistacher
June 17,1924 – September 29,2022
Our wonderful founder, Chester Roistacher, passed away on September 29, 2022.
He began the Riverside Folk Song Society back in 1965 to encourage people to come together to share songs and music. He was a wonderful singer, mandolin player and raconteur.Chet and his wife Jean, who passed away in 2014, hosted magical musical gatherings at their cabin in the San Jacinto Mountains twice a year for forty years. Many of us will fondly remember early morning Tai Chi sessions, looking at the stars through the big telescope and going on nature hikes to learn the difference between a sugar and a jeffrey pine.
Chet was a world-renowned citrus virologist at UC Riverside. He traveled the world helping save citrus crops and training others to do the same. He often took his mandolin with him, proving that music can speak across language and cultural barriers. He published several books about his life and his work, which are available at Amazon.com.
More than anything, Chet will be missed for his loving positivity and unwavering friendship.