Dr. Craig Carlton Chase, 82, of Slippery Rock passed away Tuesday at his home, following a short illness.

The Chase's family traces their lineage to the Massachusetts Bay Colony as William and Mary Chase arrived in 1630 from Wivenoe, England.

Craig was born July 18, 1933, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to Dr. Enos Earle Chase and Marion Ralston Chase. Dr. E. Earle Chase along with his brother, Kenneth, both Tufts graduates, served as dentists in their communities including serving Pine Plains, N.Y.

Craig married Judith Ann Strang on Feb. 20, 1960. He received his bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Albany in 1956 and his master's degree from Colgate University in 1964. He received his doctorate from Southern Illinois University in 1969.

Dr. Chase was professor emeritus at Slippery Rock University. His career at Slippery Rock began in 1970 running through December of 1990, where he retired as professor in environmental education.

Dr. Chase began his teaching career as a high-school science teacher, working at Yorktown Central schools, later doing graduate work at Southern Illinois University and the Marion Community School District. He served as the science and outdoor education coordinator at Yorktown Schools from 1968 to 1970.

He was an Eagle Scout, a former member of the Slippery Rock Lions Club and played in both the Slippery Rock golf and bowling leagues. He held a variety of membership and leadership positions in various professional associations. His work was published in a number of professional journals, and he received several awards for his contributions to education.

Survivors include his wife, Judith of Slippery Rock; his son, Dr. Mark Earle Chase and his wife, Amanda Zychowski, of New Wilmington; his daughter, Jennifer Lynn Gierhart and her husband, Michael, of State College, Pa.; his sister-in-law, Marjorie Walberg Chase of Pine Plains, N.Y.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and seven nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his son, Brett Todd Chase in 1992; his brother, Clyde Ralston Chase, a former Pine Plains, N.Y., town supervisor, county representative and county legislator; and his sister, Barbara Chase Losee, graduate of Roosevelt Hospital, having served as a registered nurse in the Pine Plains area hospitals.

CHASE — The family of Dr. Craig Carlton Chase, who died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016, will gather later for a private service. There will be no public services.Memorial contributions may be given to the Slippery Rock Feed My Sheep Food Cupboard, 325 N. Main St. Slippery Rock, PA 16057The Smith Funeral Home in Slippery Rock is assisting with the arrangements.