Chet Seto

CAPT, USN (Ret.)

In Loving Memory of Capt. Chester Jen Seto

September 28, 2026

Retired U.S. Navy Captain | U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1978 | 13th Company | P3 Pilot | All American Squash player

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Capt. Chester Jen Seto on Monday, September 28, 2026. His sudden passing leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Chet was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Yolinde; a loving father to Timothy and Heather; a proud stepfather to Lidia, Francis, Spyros, and Gerard; a cherished father-in-law to Clare, Alina, and Marianne; and a much-loved grandfather to Rhys, Alexa, Harvey, Ellie, Dexter, and Sophia. He was also a treasured friend to many, touching countless lives with his generosity, humour, enthusiasm, and unmistakable zest for life.

A proud graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1978, Chet dedicated an important chapter of his life to serving his country in the United States Navy. Although he retired from active service, he never truly left the Navy behind. He remained a Navy man through and through, deeply connected to the Academy, its traditions, and the generations of midshipmen who followed in his footsteps. He took great pride in sponsoring and encouraging young midshipmen and enthusiastically cheering them on at football games with his ever-present rallying cry: “Beat Army!”

Beyond his distinguished naval career, Chet had a deep and abiding passion for squash. He devoted considerable time and energy to supporting the sport and encouraging its growth, including helping to establish a women's squash league. He approached the things he cared about with determination, commitment, and a belief that, with enough passion and perseverance, good ideas could become reality.

But Chet was so much more than his professional accomplishments and sporting passions. He was funny, full of life, and always ready for an adventure. He and Yolinde shared a wonderful love of travel and discovery, exploring new places, embracing new experiences, and building a lifetime of treasured memories together.

Chet also had an extraordinary appreciation for food and took genuine pleasure in discovering a great restaurant and enjoying a memorable meal. He loved good food and the company that came with it. Those who knew him will fondly remember his remarkable ability to fall asleep almost anywhere, always maintaining that he was simply “resting his eyes.” This familiar explanation, delivered with characteristic Chet humour, will undoubtedly bring smiles to the faces of those who remember him.

Above all, Chet loved his family and friends. He lived with passion, conviction, humour, and an infectious enthusiasm for life. He supported the people he cared about, championed the causes he believed in, and embraced life's adventures with an open heart. His presence brought laughter, warmth, and energy to those around him, and his friendships were a testament to the lasting connections he built throughout his life.

Chet's sudden passing leaves profound sadness, but his legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the friendships he nurtured, the midshipmen he encouraged, and the squash community he helped strengthen. The memories he created, the laughter he inspired, and the love he shared will remain a source of comfort and gratitude to all who knew him.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. May we honour his life by carrying forward his generosity, his devotion to those he loved, his determination to make a difference, and his enduring belief in the people and causes that mattered to him.

Memorial Service

A memorial service celebrating the life of Capt. Chester Jen Seto will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the United States Naval Academy Brigade of Midshipmen Chapel in Annapolis, Maryland.

The service will be followed by a reception at the Naval Academy Club, where family and friends will have an opportunity to gather, share memories, and celebrate Chet's remarkable life.

Guests planning to attend who do not already hold the required Naval Academy access credentials should make arrangements for visitor access in advance. Please contact the family for the applicable access instructions and submission requirements.

In lieu of flowers

The family warmly invites those wishing to honour Chet's memory to make a donation to the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation in support of Squash Excellence, a cause close to his heart.

Donations may be made online at:

https://www.usna.com/give?fund=68080000

Every contribution will honour Chet's generous spirit and help continue the work and support for the sport he cared about so deeply.

Important Information for Guests: Naval Academy Access Requirements

Under the current security protocols for funeral and memorial service visitors, anyone who plans to drive or travel in a vehicle onto the Naval Academy grounds and does not already possess a valid Department of War credential or USNA DBIDS must complete the required pre-enrollment process and obtain a one-day access pass.

Please note that both steps below must be completed.

Step 1: Complete the online pre-enrollment

Visit the official DBIDS pre-enrollment website:

https://dbids-global-enroll.dmdc.mil/preenrollui/#/landing-page

When prompted for your sponsor, please enter:

• Sponsor: Christopher Silva
• Phone: 410-293-1105

Step 2: Submit the Memorial Affairs authorization form

After completing the online pre-enrollment, you must also submit the following form so that Memorial Affairs can authorize your access request:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfnWqkjIRdh3RrXNcsdy4eyy8Btn37dyIhNNVBs9Bn_35FcuA/viewform?usp=header

Important deadlines and requirements

• Submission deadline: Tuesday, November 3, 2026. All access requests must be submitted to Memorial Affairs at least 15 days before the memorial service on November 18.
• REAL ID required: Applicants must possess a REAL ID to be granted access to the Naval Academy.
• Confirmation code: If you do not receive a six-digit alphanumeric code during pre-enrollment, please try again in a new session or a different browser.
• Browser recommendation: Safari on mobile devices and desktop computers may cause errors. If you encounter a problem, please try a different browser.

Please allow sufficient time to complete both steps before the deadline. Completing the online pre-enrollment alone is not sufficient; the separate Memorial Affairs authorization form must also be submitted.

We encourage everyone who needs a visitor pass to begin this process as soon as possible and to confirm that their identification meets the stated requirements before travelling.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to make the arrangements as smooth as possible for everyone attending.

Above all, thank you for being part of Chet’s life and for helping us celebrate a man who meant so much to so many. His laughter, generosity, adventurous spirit, and unwavering devotion to those he loved will remain with us always.

Fair winds and following seas, Chet. May your final voyage be peaceful. You will always be loved, forever remembered, and never forgotten.

Beat Army!

With love and gratitude,

The Seto Family