George Peel Chandler, Jr.
(September 6, 1935 - March 6, 2009)
It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that George Peel Chandler, Jr., a committed board member of the International Community Foundation, died on March 6, 2009 when he was tragically hit by a car running a red light as he was returning home from the San Diego Natural History Museum’s Dos Aguilas event where our foundation’s President was being honored.
A memorial service is scheduled on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 10:00 am followed by an internment at El Camino Memorial Park Cemetery, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego, CA. A “Celebration of Life” tribute to George Chandler is scheduled following the internment at 12:30 pm at the San Diego Air & Space Museum located at 2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101
George was born in Knoxville, TN, a gentleman in the truest Southern tradition. He attended the University of Tennessee where he earned his BS in Electrical Engineering, graduating with honors. He followed by serving in Europe as a US Air Force officer, responsible for a Nike missile site.
Remaining in Europe after discharge, he accepted a position as engineering executive with International Telephone & Telegraph Company.
After working abroad, George returned to school where he attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management, earning an M.S. degree in Management. George then commenced a career lasting 21 years with the National Aeronautics & Space Agency (NASA).
While working at NASA, George undertook increasingly important tasks, including serving as the NASA Headquarters Mission Engineer for Apollo 4, 10, 11 (first manned lunar landing) and 13. From 1976 to 1981, he was the Director of NASA’s Scientific and Technical Information Program, Washington, DC where his accomplishments included establishing one of the world’s largest, most sophisticated data bases with two million titles, 60,000 acquisitions and world-wide on-line search capability. At one time he worked directly with the renowned rocketry genius Dr. Werner Von Braun.
In 1981, George decided to return to his roots as a small business entrepreneur following on the footsteps of his father who owned the largest printing company in East Tennessee. His extensive federal career, however, led him to believe that he could best champion the ideals of small business ownership by becoming Director of the San Diego District Office of the US Small Business Administration (SBA).
From 1981 through 2005, George served SBA as its local Director, and through his leadership the office increased annual financing obtained by small businesses from $20 million to $400 million, total loan portfolio from $200 million to $3 billion, and government contracts awarded to small businesses from $10 million to $110 million. Several years running, the San Diego District Office was named the best performing SBA office in the entire country.
George was the inspirational, founding Chairman of MIT Enterprise Forum, San Diego. He also was named to the newly organized Board of Directors of the MIT Club of San Diego, where he served with commitment and loyalty as a model leader expanding interest and membership. His engaging personality and reliable presence at most functions served to connect alumni of every age to the organization’s membership rolls.
George was an engaged civic leader. In addition to this leadership role with SBA he also served in several key committee roles with the San Diego Chamber of Commerce and served as a member of the City of San Diego’s Economic Development Task Force. George also led several community group trips to the USSR and People’s Republic of China.
With the International Community Foundation, George served on the foundation’s board since 2006 and held leadership positions as Board Secretary as well as serving as a member of the Investment Committee. His role on the board of directors of Mainly Mozart gives breath to his interest and support of the arts in the San Diego-Baja California region.
George is survived by his wife, Irene Chandler of La Jolla, brother, John Chandler of Ocala, Fla. and sister, Carol Evans Chandler of South Carolina.
George left us all too quickly, but he will be remembered by us all as a superior example of one man’s commitment to the public good. He will be sorely missed.
In lieu of flowers, George’s family has asked that donations be sent to in his memory to Mainly Mozart, the International Community Foundation and/or the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Donations in George’s honor may be made online or sent to the following address:
International Community Foundation
2505 N Avenue
National City, Ca. 91950
A video of George Chandler’s life and professional accomplishments may be viewed at: www.lajollasbest.com
Richard Kiy
President & CEO
International Community Foundation |
