In Palos Verdes, California Chester Bennington was just like any other dad around town. He attended school functions and birthday parties (even Chuck E. Cheese). Having seen Chester at school events, you would never know he was a rock star. He seemed mostly interested in his kids. On an overnight camping trip, the kids were looking for “gold” in the dirt. The kids who knew it wasn’t real gold wanted to tell. But it was important to Chester that his son keep looking for real gold. He told the other kids not to tell. Chester slept at the campground with everyone else. He wasn’t spoiled. Glitz and glamour were not his main focus.
Often the kids could hear Chester singing in the house. But many thought he was just singing for fun. They didn’t know he was a famous singer and it wasn’t important to them. During celebrations, Chester could be seen cutting the cake and smiling with all the other parents. When birthday parties were at public locations, some people would ask Chester for his autograph. He discreetly said yes and continued with the party.
Chester donated to the school and participated in a local charity event. But there were no flashy cars and limousines. There was only a dad and his kids. The kids knew they were loved. No one will ever know what he was thinking right before his death. But his family will always know they were an important part of his life.