Robert Burnside Chapman

1925 - 2016

Robert Burnside Chapman

June 22, 1925 - Aug. 17, 2016

Salinas

Robert Burnside Chapman, 91, passed away at his home on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Bob was born June 22, 1925, the third child of Frederick and Bess Chapman, in Wendell, Idaho.

As a young child, Bob and his family moved to La Jolla, where he learned to surf and spend as much time as possible in the ocean. In 1943, the day before his 18th birthday, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in the Pacific as a Radar Operator on two destroyers. Although he rarely spoke of his time in the Navy - save for a favorite story of calling ship-wide alerts for seagulls passing overhead - Bob was awarded several commendations for his service.

After leaving the Navy, Bob enrolled in the first 4-year class at the new Claremont Men's College (now Claremont McKenna College), graduating in 1950. During his time at CMC, Bob worked as a manager at the student café, where he hired a Scripps College student named Diane Lacey - and the rest, as they say, is history.

On June 30, 1951, Bob and Diane were married at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Salinas. The couple first settled in La Jolla, where Bob supplemented their income by diving for abalone. In 1954, shortly after the death of Diane's father, they returned to Salinas where Bob went to work running the family business, Lacey Automotive Parts. They raised three children in Salinas, had a large circle of friends, and loved traveling and spending time with their family. Sadly, Diane passed away from cancer in 1985.

Bob married a second time, on April 20, 1986, to Patricia Tynan. Together, Bob and Pat traveled extensively and were involved with several philanthropic efforts. They were early supporters of CSUMB, culminating in the dedication of the Chapman Science Academic Center in 2003. Bob enjoyed playing golf, tennis and bridge, and was a long-time member of Corral de Tierra Country Club. He and Pat were always excellent hosts to their family and friends. Their grandchildren hold fond memories of Thanksgiving dinners and Easter egg hunts at the house they built in Corral de Tierra.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Bess Burnside Chapman; his first wife, Diane Lacey Chapman; his sister, Elizabeth Chapman Thullen; his brother, Frederick Chapman, Jr.; a nephew and two step-sons.

He is survived by his second wife, Patricia Tynan Chapman; his children, Lee (Fred) Carroll, Leslie (Bob) Taylor, and Bill (Denise) Chapman, all of Salinas; and his grandchildren, Cathy (Norman) Taylor Arias, Jessica Carroll, Colleen Taylor, Thomas (Ally) Carroll, Lauren (Will) Chapman Cole, Christina Taylor, Dean Chapman, and Kurt Chapman. Bob is also survived by a step-son, Dirk (Debbie) Etienne and four step-grandchildren, and a close circle of cherished friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at10:00 a.m. Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1071 Pajaro St., Salinas, CA 93901.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Bob's memory, please make a donation to St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Funeral arrangements by Struve and Laporte. Online condolences to www.struveandlaporte.com