Robert Eugene Chapman

All who knew Robert Chapman would agree that he was an extraordinary man to know and love. He was always a bustle of activity with a work ethic that was truly inspiring. More important than his work, however, was his family as there was no greater source of pride and joy than Bobs family that included his wife, daughter, son-in-law and grandson. Although he worked hard, he knew how to enjoy life, too, and he just loved walking along the beautiful Florida coastline. Although he was quiet most of the time, it was usually because he was busy listening since he was always available to whomever needed a listening ear. Well respected by everyone he met, Bobs memory will never be forgotten.

It was great to be an American during the 1920s. Innovation brought us things like radios, washing machines, and refrigerators while the widespread implementation of the assembly line made cars more affordable for the average American.

Prosperity was commonplace from coast to coast, at least until the crash of the stock market sent our nation and much of the world spiraling down into the Great Depression. It was as the vibrant Roaring Twenties were drawing to a close that Grant and Marie (Sailor) Chapman were eagerly awaiting the birth of their baby as winter held the city of South Bend, Indiana, firmly in its grip in February of 1928. The big day finally arrived on February 25th when the baby boy they named Robert Eugene drew his first breath. He was the only child in his family, and he was raised in a railroad house in Ade, Indiana, a small rural town North of Kentland.

From the time he was a young boy, Bob knew what it meant to work hard. He didnt have much free time because he was busy mowing neighbors lawns as well as the lawn at the local cemetery to earn his spending money. When he did have a few free moments, he enjoyed playing basketball and loved to swim. Bob was a student at local schools who had the choice between two high schools as a freshman. He chose Morocco High School, and he went on to graduate in 1946.

At the time, Bob had no idea how much his choice to attend Morocco High would affect the rest of his life as it was there that he met the young girl with whom he would write a love story that would span nearly 70 years. Her name was Patricia Conn, and they met in the summer before his freshman year. It was she who spotted him as he was walking down the street on his way to a concert on a Saturday night. Although she had no idea who he was at the time, she was smitten. They officially met when school started that fall, and she always loved riding around in his Model A that he affectionately called Effie. He drove that car to and from school every day. Eventually, Bob and Patricia began dating, and it didnt take them long to fall head over heels in love. With a desire to establish a life together, the sweethearts were married on October 25, 1947, at the Morocco Christian Church.

At first the newlyweds lived in a railroad home in Ade, but after a few years they built a home in 1952 and moved closer to Bobs work in Kentland. His dad had been working as a mechanic at the local John Deere dealership and passed away when Bob was 17.Bob then started working as a mechanic at Kentland Tractor and Implement following high school. He spent his entire career there over more than 50 years. For 30 of those years he was both the manager and a co-owner. Although he found his work to be greatly rewarding, Bobs family, which grew to include their daughter, Lynn, was always first and foremost in his heart and life.

Bobs amazing work ethic wasn't limited to just his work at the John Deere dealership since for years he also owned a farm near Goodland. His day often started with coffee with his friends at The Dino. He loved his cars and always had them polished up and looking nice. As the Indianapolis 500 was going on in the springtime, he and his daughter usually listened to it on the radio as they gave the cars their spring clean up and tune up since the race was not televised locally. With his love of cars, he even bartered some farm equipment for a 1959 Mercedes that he still owned.

Within his community, Bob was actively involved. For years he was a member of the Kentland Presbyterian Church, which later merged with another local church and became Covenant Federated Church. Bob was involved with the Jaycees and Rotary in Kentland and served on the board of directors and as president for Indiana Implement Dealers in 1975. In his free time, he and his wife enjoyed square dancing as well as traveling around the United States. Over the years Bob made a stop in every state except for Alaska and Washington State. He was also a great photographer who even learned to develop his own film.

In 1978, Bob and his wife bought a condo in Bonita Springs, Florida. At first they used it as a vacation home, but after he retired in 2003, the two moved down there for half the year and for the other half of the year they returned to Kentland. While there, Bob loved walking on the beach, golfing, and eating out. In 2007, they decided to sell their place in Kentland and spent the warmer summer months in Columbia City to be near to their daughter, son-in-law, and grandson in addition to spending their winters in Florida.

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Robert Chapman was a blessing to everyone he met. He was compassionate and kindhearted with a gentle voice and the best pieces of advice. Bob was a man of faith who was never concerned about the things of this world, rather, his focus was on generously giving to those around him. He will be forever missed.

Robert Eugene Chapman, 87, of Bonita Springs, Florida, died on March 9, 2015. Bobs family includes his wife of 67 years, Patricia Chapman; daughter, Lynn Chapman Walker (Phil) of Columbia City, Indiana; and grandson, Aaron Chapman Walker. A Celebration of Bobs life will take place between 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday, July 19, 2015, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, Indiana. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Covenant Federated Church at 612 N 6th St., Kentland, IN, 47951, WCCF Crooked Lake Foundation, or to the charity of donor's choice.