In memoriam: Chester Penza

Chester “Chet” Penza of Amherst, Mass., passed away Feb. 2, 2019. A past president of the Eastern States Building Officials Federation and a past president of Building Officials & Code Administrators, Penza’s career in the codes industry started in 1965 when he became the building inspector for the town of Amherst. With the consolidation of the town’s inspection services into a new department known as the department of Inspections Services, he was appointed director of Inspection Services and the building commissioner. Penza served in this position for 30 years and retired in 1995.

Penza was active in many local, regional and national building code organizations. He served on the board of directors of the Massachusetts Building Commissioners and Inspectors Association and played a major role in organizing the Building Officials of Western Massachusetts, serving as the group’s president from 1974 to 1975. From 1979 to 1981, he served as chairman of the New England Building Code Association and as chairman of the New England Educational Committee, which sponsors the Municipal Building Officials Conference. He served as president of the Eastern States Building Officials Federation from 1975 to 1976. In 1983, he was elected as a corporate member of Underwriters Laboratories, and after retirement, served as a consultant for their codes and standards division. Penza also served as president of the Building Officials & Code Administrators from 1983 to 1984 and represented the organization at the World Organization of Building Officials in London, England.

Chet leaves behind his children David Penza, Lynn Penza, Alison Penza, Gary Penza and Eric Penza. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Fisher Home or the Amherst Boys & Girls Club.