Robert Chitester

Bob Chitester, 83, of Erie, PA, passed away after a seven-year battle with cancer on May 8, 2021. Bob was born in Kane, Pennsylvania, to Palmer and Louise Chitester on October 30, 1937.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Thomas and grandchild Arianna Behrendt.

Best known in Erie as the founding general manager of WQLN and WQLN-FM and his antics at the annual auctions, Bob is known worldwide for producing the 10-part, award-winning PBS series, Free To Choose, with Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman. Bob also created many television documentaries for his not-for-profit company Free To Choose Network.

Bob was an individualist with contagious enthusiasm for life who loved his family, adventure, traveling, and sharing experiences. He loved being outdoors, cutting firewood, and running marathons. Bob loved holding babies and everything Christmas, especially singing carols, classical music, and reciting poetry at family gatherings and business functions.

Bob is survived by his wife, Carol (Lovell), four children, Cindee Behrendt (husband Fred, daughters Marley and Emily), Kim Parsons (husband Larry Simmons, daughter Caitlin Parsons, her partner Sean Casey and their children Kelly and Hattie), Mark Chitester (wife Sherry and their children Brian and his wife Angela, Kevin, Kaley, and Andrew) and Amy Chitester (her daughter Elizabeth whom Bob and Carol raised).  He is also survived by his brother Jerry and his wife, Kim, and many nieces and nephews.

We want to thank the Visiting Nurses Association Hospice staff and supportive friends for their kind words and prayers during this time. We gratefully acknowledge Marley and Bill for the extra attention they gave to Bob during his illness.

Per Bob’s wishes, his body was donated for the education of medical students. The family will have a private service in Vermont at Capitaf. We loved him, and we will miss him.

The things that make me different are the things that make me, me. Piglet from Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne

There’s only one person in the whole world like you. Fred Rogers

Arrangements are entrusted to Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Service Inc. Downtown 602 W. 10^th Street, Erie.

Send Condolences to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com