CHESTERVILLE — Chesterville area crop farmer Pat Chambers died in Ottawa Civic Hospital September 26 after falling from a ladder while doing repairs on his combine. He was fixing its spout in his shop. He was 50.

Chambers owned a large crop farm, north of Cornwall. He was also a Pride seed dealer.

During a landowners’ association meeting at the Chesterville Legion Hall Oct. 27, Tony Wouters took to the podium and choked on a tear before asking for a moment of silence for a fallen colleague because "tonight, there is one face missing.

"If there was an agricultural event, you were sure to see him there," Wouters said. "Not only would you be assured of his support, you were guaranteed that he would be smiling and in good humour. He was a farmer, a custom operator, a good neighbour, a great friend, a loving husband and a caring father.

"He was an innovator in agriculture with a zest for life. If you approached him with a problem, you left with a solution…

"His name was Pat Chambers. He was taken from us a few weeks ago, but it was decades too early. He will be greatly missed by his wife Brenda, sons Jason and Derrick, his partner and brother David, their entire families and by all of us who were lucky enough to know him over the years."

Wouters wept. Strong men whispered a prayer. A calm silence filled the hall.

"For the past 28 years I had the privilege of working with Pat in the seed, corn and soybean business in Dundas county," said Ron Ferguson, of Osgoode, told Farmers Forum. "He was instrumental in evaluating corn and soybean varieties on his own farm. As a partner in River Edge farms he always made every effort to service and educate his clientele. Pat’s dedication to his family, his loyalty to his customers and his gracious smile will be sadly missed."

"He was a jovial guy," said friend Henk Staal, of Russell.