Ray Edward Chapman

RAY EDWARD CHAPMAN, BCLS (1908-2007) "THE SUN CAME OUT" Periodically, one has the pleasure of knowing an exceptional human being. Ray Edward Chapman was such a person. Dad left this world peacefully Sunday morning, January 7, 2007 at Lions Gate Hospital. Shortly after the sun shone for a brief period. He had been hospitalized earlier that morning. Ray is survived by his daughter Susan (Bruce) Stout, and his sons Fred (Judy) and Bill (Sandy); his grandchildren Chelsea (Hayden), Shad (Natasha), Ryan (Ulrika), and Todd (Ashley); his great-grandchildren Samantha, Emma, and Paige. He was predeceased by the love of his life, our mother Irene, who passed peacefully in his arms and gentle care April 2004; by his granddaughter Samantha, and by his sister Martha and brother Fred. Born in Vancouver November 3, 1908, he was an official flag person for his school when Vancouver changed driving from the left to the right side of the road. He graduated from King Edward High School and attended UBC to 3rd year Engineering. He worked at Britannia Mines believing he would become a Mining Engineer until he reached the depth of the pit and understood the concept of darkness. He helped his father around Chapman's Machine Shop on Seymour, first driving at the age of 14 and helped his grandfather over Christmases at Edward Chapman Ltd. He also worked as a used car salesman for Colliers on Georgia, was never really a salesman, but invented his concept of a 'courtesy' car to make sales. He started surveying with his uncle John Elliott, BCLS in 1931 up in the Peace River area. He continued to survey summers with his uncles John and Hector Elliott, and work winters in one of his father's bowling alleys, Chapmans on Seymour, where he met his wife Irene, who managed the Hudson's Bay Company Bowling League. As War broke out a friend Hesketh Roberts told him the Air Force was looking for surveyors so Dad joined, surveying from 1940 to 1945 for airstrips on the Northwest Staging Route. Following the War, Ray was commissioned a BCLS in 1946 and rejoined his uncles. He worked with the Provincial Government Survey Branch from 1950 to 1953 before rejoining his uncles, then opening his own office in West Vancouver in 1955 as his uncles retired. Ray devoted his career from 1955 to date with the development of West Vancouver. He was President of the Land Surveyors in 1963 and was made a Life Member in 1981. He has been an active Rotarian since November 1964. He was the recipient of the West Vancouver Heritage Award in 1996 and made WV Citizen of the Year in 2004. Ray surveyed for 75 years, was a BCLS for 61 years, and was the best partner a man could have with his son Bill for 31 years. He continued coming to the office every day until his death. Our family would like to thank Dr. Janz, WV Fire Dept., Ambulance Service, and Emergency and 4th Floor staff at LGH who caught a glimpse of Ray during his final 2 weeks. In lieu of flowers donations to the BCLS Foundation ( www.bclandsurveyors.bc.ca/foundation.html ) or to a charity of your choice would be preferred. A celebration to honor Ray will be held on Friday, January 19 from 2 - 7 pm at the Eagle Harbour Yacht Club, 5750 Eagle Harbour Road, West Vancouver. Words will be spoken at 3 p.m. and again at 5 p.m.