Dr. Richard Chapin

Dr. Richard Chapin East Lansing Dr. Richard Chapin, Director emeritus of Michigan State University Libraries, passed away July 30, 2009. He was born in Danville, IL on April 29, 1925, the son of Harry W. and Lula May (Briggs) Chapin. After graduation from Danville High School, he enlisted in the Naval V-12 program and was assigned as a bomb disposal officer with the Naval Technical Mission to Japan. He received a BA, and later an honorary doctorate, from Wabash College. While at Wabash he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and earned Blue Key and Phi Kappa Phi honoraries. He also quarterbacked the Wabash College football team. His graduate studies were at University of Illinois where he received his MS (library science) and PhD (communications). He worked in the libraries at Florida State University, University of Illinois, and University of Oklahoma before coming to Michigan State in 1955 as Associate Director and then Director of Libraries and Professor of Journalism from 1959 until 1990. He also served as Director of the MSU Press from 1985 to 1989. Dr. Chapin was an active member of his profession, serving as officer and board member of the Michigan Library Association, Michigan Library Consortium, American Library Association, Association of Research Libraries and the Ohio Library Consortium. He served as a consultant to libraries in this country and abroad, including Vietnam, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates. As co-founder and president of the Michigan Library Consortium he was instrumental in updating libraries in Michigan and beyond as technology began to influence his profession. He was an active member of the East Lansing community. He served as member of the East Lansing Human Relations Committee, the East Lansing Board of Education, the Capital Literacy Coalition and the Tolman Foundation. He is survived by Eleanor, his loving wife and colleague of 60 years, his sons Bob (Karen) and Dave (Laurie), daughter Becky (Sharon O'Leary), six grandchildren Robert, Jason, Andrew, Cari, Elle and Alex and two great grandchildren Jason Jr. and Carson. He will be remembered by family and friends for his wonderful sense of humor, respect for the dignity of all people and his contagious personality. A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 3, at 3:00 p.m. at The Peoples Church, 200 W. Grand River Ave, East Lansing with the Rev. Dr. Harry Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. Those desiring may make contributions to the Eleanor and Richard Chapin Endowment for Staff Development at Michigan State University Libraries c/o MSU Development Office, 300 Spartan Way, East Lansing MI 48824-9911, the Great Lakes Alzheimer's Chapter, 310 N. Main St., Suite 100, Chelsea, MI 48118, or the East Lansing Education Foundation, 841 Timberlane, East Lansing, MI 48823 in memory of Richard Chapin.