Chester "Chet" Jacob Bollenbecker

Chester "Chet" Jacob Bollenbecker, 88, of Harrisburg, passed away at Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis, Sunday, August 4, 2024. 

Chet was born February 3, 1936, in Rhinebeck, New York, to the late Chester Melvin Bollenbecker and Julia Anna Hodos Bollenbecker. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Phil; sister, Mary Ann, and several nieces and nephews.

When he was 14, Chet began working in farm equipment repair in Red Hook, NY, and later became a machinist/tool maker for IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY, then in Kingston. He later transferred to Charlotte, NC, in 1979. Chet married Sylvia Sawyer in East Chatham, NY, in 1957. The couple lived for many years in Rhinebeck, NY, before moving to Harrisburg, NC, in 1979. Upon retirement, his passion for tractors was rekindled and he restored pedal tractors and joined the Power of the Past Antique Tractor Club, where they restored and auctioned antique tractors to raise money for the Holy Angels home for children with developmental disabilities. He served as president of the tractor club, where they hosted several club events to support their cause. In New York and North Carolina, he worked with the Boy Scout troops that his children were involved in, spending summers at camp and helping to build things the troops needed. Chet also was a member of the Harrisburg Lions Club and helped in the expansion of the building where they served food to the community as a fundraiser. Chet was a member of Kerr Memorial Baptist Church in Concord, NC, where he also served on the fellowship building committee. Most of all, Chet was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Survivors include beloved wife of 66 years, Sylvia Lee Sawyer Bollenbecker; 4 sons, Timothy (Sandra) Bollenbecker of Russellville, KY, Terry (Anna) Bollenbecker of Harrisburg, NC, C. Eric (Beverly) Bollenbecker of Concord, NC, and Andrew Bollenbecker of Holly Ridge, NC; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and brother, Pete Bollenbecker.

The community and friends of Chet are invited to a Celebration of Life reception from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm on Friday, August 9, 2024, at Kerr Memorial Baptist Church fellowship hall, 25 Highway 49 S Concord, NC. He was laid to rest during a private committal service at Carolina Memorial Park, Harrisburg, officiated by Pastor Chris O'Quin. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Kerr Memorial Baptist Church, 25 Highway 49 S Concord, NC 28025. 

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the Bollenbecker family.