Edward “Ned” Chalker Obituary (Colombia)
How sad to hear about the passing of wonderful Ned! I remember back in 2008 when he made his first…
Ned Chalker (Colombia 1961-63)
Edward “Ned” Gould Rowland Chalker II, a Washington, DC resident for over 50 years passed away on April 21, 2024. “Ned” was born on September 30,1938 in Chester CT, to E. Gould Chalker and Florence Christiansen who predeceased him. He graduated with a degree in engineering from Trinity College in Connecticut in 1960.
In 1961, Ned joined the newly formed Peace Corps and served in the inaugural group of volunteers in Colombia known as the Columbia 1 Compadres. Ned developed life-long friendships from his tour of duty and continued to help the Colombian community he cherished for the rest of his life. He later helped to establish the Peace Corps Park and Museum in Washington, DC.
Ned moved to East St. Lous in 1968 to open a Job Corps program at Westinghouse Consultants. In the early 1970s, he moved to Washington, DC to begin work at what later became the Department of Education. After leading Educational Research Centers across the country, he retired from Federal Service in 1992.
In 1977, he married his beloved wife of 46 years, Beverly Baumgart. Together they discovered Cobb Island, MD and purchased a small cottage which later became their primary residence. Ned loved being a Cobb Islander and served in multiple capacities including serving as President of the Citizens Association and helped to establish the Wayside Food Bank.
Ned was a long-time mariner at heart; serving as a founding Board Member of the National Maritime Heritage Foundation in 2001. The namesake of his double-ended wooden ketch Tall Ship was his aunt Mabel Stevens which later became the official Tall Ship of Washington, DC. He also served as President of the Potomac River Pilots Association and on the Executive Committee of DC HarborFest and numerous other Maritime Organizations.
Ned is survived by his wife Beverly; his son David Chalker; step-son Martin Baumgart (Martine); step-daughter Kirsten Baumgart Turner (David); his grandchildren: Micah (Greta), Nai’a, Kelly, and Kacy; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Ned’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, at the Cobb Island Volunteer Fire and Rescue. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Department and Medical Services (CIVFD), POB 156 / Cobb Island, MD 20625, or the Wayside Food Bank, 11340 Ethan Ct. / Swan Point, MD 20645.
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The Colombia I folks are a special group of people that I’ve had the honor of knowing and Ned was uniquely special among them. My heart goes out to all of his Peace Corps cohorts, family, and friends. I regret that I will be unable to attend his memorial service on Saturday, but I will be with everyone in spirit.
Last year, Ned made a generous donation to the Peace Corps Foundation in support of the creation of Peace Corps Park in Washington, DC, inspiring several others in his cohort to contribute. As of now, the Colombia I tally has surpassed $12,000+ in funds donated, the most of any single RPCV group. Once again, Colombia I leads the way.
I’m grateful for his leadership in the Peace Corps community and honored to have been among his many friends. My condolences to all who knew him.
Ned was an original. Thank you for publishing this. I kept in touch with Ned on his birthday and other holidays. I will miss him.
Best,
G.
From my early days in Peace Corps, Ned has always been my ideal of the Peace Corps and its mission. In Ned’s world there were no strangers, only folks he had not yet met. No matter what frustrations and difficulties he may have been experiencing, Ned always had time to listen to everyone else’s problems. A true leader and friend. So many memories of Titiribi fund raisers, they were the best. Truly Ned made a difference everywhere he traveled in his life’s journey. I will long remember his hearty laugh and fun-loving giggle.
My heart aches for the loss of a wonderful friend and Peace Corps Volunteer. What a kind, fun, generous guy Ned was. Without his support and laughter, my days in Medellin, would not have been half as much fun! We have lost a wonderful friend but will never forget his laughter, and kindnesses.
How sad to hear about the passing of wonderful Ned! I remember back in 2008 when he made his first trip back to Colombia and was so thrilled when people from his Peace Corps 1 site remembered him and greeted him with balloons. He loved Colombia and we will miss him.