Dr. Orestes Timothy Chortyk, 91, of Thompson Station, TN passed away on Saturday October 10, 2026, in his home.

Orestes was born in Chernivtsi, formally Romania present day Ukraine, the only child to Olga and John Chortyk on June 10, 1935. He spent his early childhood in Ukraine and his adolescence in Oldenburg, Germany, before immigrating to the United States with his parents in 1949, at the age of 14. He spent his formative years in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and graduated from LaSalle Highschool in 1954, Drexel Institute of Technology in 1959 with BS in Chemistry and went on to get his Doctorate from Princeton University, class of 1964. He was a published and patented Research Chemist, and a second-generation member of Chornomore, a Ukrainian academic fraternity.

Orestes married Christine Marie Majnich on November 29, 1969, in Philadelphia. Orestes and Christine moved to Athens, GA in 1971 after the birth of their son, to head up his own laboratory as a Research Chemist for the United States Department of Agriculture at Russell Research Center, where he devoted 27 years to agricultural chemical research. He built a life and family with Christine in Athens, GA growing a family and raising their 3 children, until returning to Pennsylvania in 1998 as empty nesters to stay close to his grown children. He and Christine retired to Spring Hill, TN where he lived his golden years as a doting grandfather and patriarch.

Orestes was a devoted husband and loving father. He was well traveled, an avid skier and tennis player, bridge enthusiast and novice carpenter who took pride in building both a beautiful home and life for his family. He was a lifelong academic, a lover of world history, and an endless well of knowledge. Orestes was a gentle soul with a big heart and charming wit. His family was the center of his world, his grandchildren his pride and joy, and his love was undoubtably unconditional.

Orestes is survived by his wife Christine, three children and spouses Roman and Rebecca Chortyk, Andrea and Serge Kolomiets, and Laryssa Chortyk White and Ryan White, and his 6 grandchildren Natasha and Alexandra Chortyk, Nicholas and Alexander Kolomiets, Julia and Nathan White.

Memorial gathering will be held 2:00 - 4:00pm on October 23, 2026 at Spring Hill Memorial Funeral Home.