Robert “Bob” Charles Chapman, Jr., passed away peacefully at home on June 25, 2025, at the age of 90. Bob was born in Erie, Pennsylvania on October 11, 1934. He is survived and dearly missed by his loving wife of 56 years, Mary (Dempsey); daughter, Debra; son, Rob; brothers, Bill Chapman and Howard Chapman; sisters: Judy Maurer (Dan), Nancy Hix (Steve), and Evelyn Chapman; sisters-in-law: Ericka Chapman, Louise Chapman, and Roe Coleman. He also leaves behind a host of beloved nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends who adored him dearly. He was preceded in death by parents, Robert Charles and Bessie (Robinson); mother-in-law, Ann Dempsey; brothers, Don Chapman and Richard Chapman; brothers-in-law: James Dempsey, Robert O’Neill, and Jim Peters; sister-in-law, Joyce Chapman; and many treasured friends.
Being the first-born child of eight siblings, Bob was the patriarch of his family. He joined the army and served in the Korean war. After the service, he had several different small jobs before landing at Ma Bell, where he became a phone company man, worked for 30+ years and met the love of his life Mary, whom he swept away to Las Vegas and wed on November 16, 1968. He retired at the enviable age of 53 and got such a kick out of the fact that he reached the milestone of having spent more years of his life being retired than working.
Bob couldn’t get enough of the open road and loved traveling. He never stopped bragging about having been to all 50 states. His favorite was Tennessee, with his favorite national park being Yosemite. Another thing he couldn’t stop talking about was his 90th birthday party, which we celebrated last October. He told everybody, and we mean everybody, that 62 people attended. He was so happy and touched by the outpouring of love. He had the greatest time.
He spent many of his years with his best buddies fixing and repairing their race cars so they could get on the track where they loved to be. When the racing days ended, along with cherished friend Harry and brother Don, he tackled numerous (and quite major) household projects at all of our homes. He was always on the hunt for the best chili dog and in the process had some pretty lousy ones. Some fairly decent ones too, but he never did find one that topped his all-time favorite Tommy’s Dog. He loved coloring easter eggs (daddy and daughter tradition for 54 years); Miracle Whip; the color yellow; Hank Williams; BBQ; the LA Rams; tomatoes; race cars; ring bologna; gonna play, gotta pay; deviled eggs; classic country music; and Cadillacs. He was never without a camera or video camera capturing all our gatherings. His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible – boy, did he accomplish that! He was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will forever be remembered for his generosity, wide open arms, kindness, and his abiding, steadfast, unshakeable and never-ending love for family and friends.
His passing has left a void in the hearts of all whose lives were touched by him. He left a profound impact on each one of us that can never be measured. We wish for all of those to whom Bob touched, to continue to find joy in life, just as he would want it. Nothing meant more to him than our happiness – for that was his happiness. We are grateful for the memories and the knowledge that his mighty legacy will continue in the lives of his family and friends. His love will live on in our hearts for the rest of our lives.
A celebration of life will be held on what we can see as no other more fitting date than October 11, 2025.