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ROBERT EUGENE CHAPMAN, USAF, was born and raised in Russellville, AR. Encouraged by his high school football coach, Bobby applied for admission to West Point. Following a year at Arkansas Tech and a short stint in the Arkansas National Guard, Bobby entered West Point with the class of 1954. Leaving his parents, James and Floy Chapman, Bobby arrived ready to face Beast Barracks and other assorted hardships in the cold, gray, northern world of the Hudson Valley.
A quick study, Bobby soon adapted to cadet life in company F-1, in spite of occasional run-ins with his nemeses, the firsties of Black ’51, and his two older roommates. Bobby remained with his two original roommates, Jack Delamain and Leonard Fuller, for all four years, and they developed lifelong friendships.
Bobby fared well as an upperclassman, although French spoken with an Arkansas accent is somewhat different. With typical aplomb he decided to become a mule-rider, adding a new dimension to the already legendary string of “Bobby stories.”
Following graduation, Bobby entered the Air Force and swiftly qualified as a fighter pilot. His first career step was to go to pilot training and then to advanced flying school, where his most significant achievement was meeting and marrying his lifelong love and companion, Helen Joyce Gunter, of San Angelo, TX. Their meeting came partially due to Helen’s parents’ friendship with the parents of Jim Surber, another of Bobby’s F-1 classmates. The couple began a nearly 47-year journey together in December 1955 and produced a son, Robert, who graduated from the Air Force Academy and is also a fighter pilot.
Bobby’s first assignment after flight training was as an F-86D pilot and flight commander in the 324th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Westover AFB, MA. In July 1958, the unit and the Chapmans moved to Rabat, Morocco. Bobby and his family returned to the continental U.S. in 1960, and he began graduate studies at the University of Michigan, earning a master’s degree in electrical engineering in 1962.
The Air Force then assigned Bobby to Eglin AFB, FL, where he now utilized his new degree as a plans officer for aircraft and missile systems, specializing in electronic warfare and survivability of manned weapons systems.
Next, Bobby attended Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, AL. After graduation, he was selected as an alternate White House fellow in the initial year of the program. In 1968, after three years as a member of the USAF Inspector General Team at Norton AFB, CA, Bobby served as a plans officer with the Military Assistance Command-Viet Nam, in Saigon, and later as a project officer for Project Igloo White, at Headquarters, Seventh Air Force at Tan Sun Nhut. Following his Viet Nam tour, Bobby served as chief, Fighter Operations Branch, Headquarters Pacific Area Command, at Hickam AFB, HI.
After completing Air War College as a distinguished graduate, Bobby qualified in the FB-11 and became deputy commander for operations, later vice-wing commander and wing commander, of the 389th Bombardment Wing, Plattsburg AFB, NY.
In September 1974, although still a fighter pilot at heart, Bobby assumed command of the 42d Bombardment Wing (B-52) at Loring AFB, ME. He subsequently served as the first commander of the USAF Leadership and Management Development Center, Maxwell AFB, AL, where he was promoted to brigadier general. In 1978, Bobby was assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, where he served as director of computer resources, office of the Comptroller. Bobby then returned to Eglin AFB as vice-commander of the armament division, Air Force Systems Command.
Bobby retired in September 1984, and he and Helen moved the short distance to Shalimar, FL, for an active retirement. Bobby’s first civilian venture was the establishment of “Executive Dress,” a local men’s wear store, and then the B3H corporation, a highly successful defense contracting firm that continues to serve the Department of Defense in numerous locations and capacities.
The church was very much a part of Helen and Bobby’s lives together, and in retirement they were committed members of the Immanuel Anglican Church of Destin, FL. At Bobby’s passing, two of his friends wrote in the church bulletin what must best describe Bobby:
So, of course, we naturally think of Bob Chapman as a gentle giant. The “giant” description comes not only from his stature, but in the qualities in him that were larger than life: his noble character, his dignity, his integrity, his leadership, his respect for others, his friendliness, his loyalty, his devotion and commitment, and his humble heart, to name only a few. Every one of the qualities describes Bob as a leader, but also as a Christian, a husband to our sweet Helen, a father, a grandfather, our friend. In Micah, we read, “He had told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God.” This verse surely exemplifies the life of BG Bob Chapman — he was just, he was kind and humble, and he did what the Lord required of him.”
Bobby died unexpectedly of a massive stroke. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. James W. Chapman of Russellville, preceded him. Bobby is survived by his loving wife, Helen J. Chapman; his son, Robert E. Chapman II; his daughter-in-law, Jennifer W. Chapman; two granddaughters, Chelsea and Shelby; and his sister, Charlotte Chapman.
Funeral services were conducted in Shalimar and attended by his many friends from the local community. Three F-1 classmates and several of his closest friends served as pallbearers. Bobby was interred in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on 11 July 2002, with his family and many East Coast classmates and their wives in attendance. |
