Harold Leroy Chapman

11/17/1917 - 02/23/2011

CHAPMAN, Harold LeRoy "Hal"

Hal passed away at age 93 in Spokane, WA on 23 February 2011. He was born in Faith, SD, on 17 November 1917 to Ernest Milton Chapman and Bertha May Hamley. In 1937 Hal graduated from high school in McLaughlin, SD. He worked for a long time as a driver for a doctor who treated the Lakota Sioux Indians of the Standing Rock Reservation. His family then moved west. After registering for the Draft in 1942, Hal went to work for Boeing in Seattle where he built B17s. From March 1943 to 1946 Hal served with the Army Air Force. He was stationed in India on ground crew for B24s and B17s. After WWII, Hal studied to be an electrician on the GI bill and worked for Leo's Photography Studio in the Spokane Valley. Hal married Nellye "Nell" Esther Unterseher 4 February 1950 in Spokane, WA. He worked for the Crescent Dept. Store, Kaiser Aluminum, The Ainsley Box Factory, The Spokane Medical Building and retired in 1981 from the Central Valley School District. Throughout their married life Hal and Nell enjoyed several family homes, collecting antiques and managing estate sales. In his later years Hal continued to have a passion for reading history, woodworking and constructing Dutch windmill bird houses for family and friends. He will always be remembered for his generosity, kindness, and great sense of humor. Hal was a friend to all who met him. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Nell; three daughters, Linda S. Chapman, Heidi J. Krummel (John), Wendy K. Wilhelm; son Steven J. Chapman and grandchildren Nick E. and Heather K. Wilhelm. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Carrie M. Jewett, her husband George and son-in-law Michael Wilhelm. At Harold's request there will be no memorial service. Interment with military honors will take place at Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a fund for Nick and Heather Wilhelm. The family would like to thank the staff and residents of Harvard Park Retirement Home and the Veteran's Administration Hospice Center for their kindness and loving care.