Obituary

Thomas Kenneth Chronert passed away peacefully at age 88 on March 16 in Laguna Hills, California. He resided in Laguna Beach, CA for the past 38 years. As he would have wanted, his immediate family was at his side. He will be remembered for his positive attitude and unwavering commitment to his family, friends, religion, work, and passions.

Born on September 22, 1936 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Thomas and Gertrude Chronert, Tom exuded midwestern values. He loved fishing the surrounding lakes with his father and sister, Susan. Tom excelled athletically in football, basketball and tennis. He attended St Augustine High School (now Hackett Catholic Prep), played football at the University of Detroit, before graduating from Western Michigan University in 1959. In 2008 he was inducted into the Kalamazoo Area Catholic School Athletic Hall of Fame.

His catholic faith and proximity to the University of Notre Dame in his formative years evolved into a lifelong passion that culminated with he and wife, Lynne, earning the University’s Volunteer of the Year award in 2014. He was a long-standing member (and past President in 2003 and 2004) of the Notre Dame Club of Orange County. Many alumni, including son Steve and grandsons Matt and Michael, have benefited from his inspiration.

After moving with his family to Southern California in 1959, Tom’s business career started with the Ford Motor Company. He later joined Dean Witter Reynolds, which led to a long career in financial services. He retired from Morgan Stanley in 2001. His positive attitude, keen sense of humor and genuine interest in others was greatly admired by colleagues and is reflected in the many lifelong friendships he developed over the years.

Tom loved traveling, friends, and sports but was never happier than with his family. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lynne (Molstad) Chronert, sons Scott (Patti) of Novato, CA; Steve (Rene) Chronert of Kiawah Island, SC; his former wife and mother of his children, Diana Wallach of West Hills, CA; sister Sue Shobert of Salt Lake City, UT; grandchildren Matt (Kaitlin) of Mill Valley, CA; Tom Chronert of Columbia, SC; Sara Chronert of Los Angeles, CA; Michael (Alissa) Chronert of Belmont, VT, and Sam Chronert of Novato, CA; along with three great grandchildren, Levi, Lukas and Ellie.

A mass and celebration of his life will be held April 25^th, 2025 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Laguna Beach, CA. His final resting place will be at Cedar Grove cemetery, University of Notre Dame, giving him front row seats to watch his beloved Fighting Irish.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests prayers and goodwill for all families impacted and suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.