Anthony Chapin Obituary

Austin, Tex. - Anthony van Dyke Chapin, 83, of Austin, Tex., died Jan. 1, 2010, at home, of pulmonary fibrosis, surrounded by his family.

Anthony Chapin was born Oct. 21, 1926, in Washington, Conn., the son of Henry and Paula van Dyke Chapin, and grew up on a farm in New Hope, Pa.

During and after World War II he served in the United States Merchant Marine.

He then earned a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in Architecture from Harvard University.

A man of many interests, his life and career took him to Aspen, Colo.; San Francisco; Paris, France; Stonington; Cambridge, Mass.; Clifton, Ariz.; and Austin, Tex., as well as his beloved camp in Glover, Vt. He worked as an architect, schoolteacher, art publisher, writer, labor journalist, public television producer and bush-hogger.

Always locally involved, he volunteered and served as an emergency medical technician, counselor for the mentally troubled, campaign manager, film-series promoter and town planning and zoning board member.

He was an outdoorsman, accomplished sailor and carpenter, enthusiastic chess and piano player, voracious reader, relentless rationalist, and devoted father and husband.

Chapin was a lifelong conservationist, active in opposing development of marshlands and ridgelines. In the 1970s he co-founded CCPC, Connecticut Citizens for Protection and Conservation.

He is survived by his wife, Daphne, of fifty years; sister Penney Hills; sons, Timothy, Nathaniel, Matthew and Hugh; and eight grandchildren, Julian, August, Alabel, Jackson, Harrison, Hugh, Henry and Daphne.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Charlotte Smith, in 1996.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Jan. 30, 2010, at his home in Austin.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Day on Jan. 6, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Anthony Chapin

9 Entries

January 23, 2010

Tony had and held a boyish optimism that was contagious and a delight at any encounter. He had a most excellent taste in women,i.e., Daphne, and from this we all gained.

We valued time with him.

Edward & Rita McCreary
Stonington, Ct.

January 21, 2010

Tony Chapin of Stonington: the Jamesian Tony, the quixotic son of the rambunctious Henry and sublime Paula, Daphne's handsome husband and Penney's loving/sometimes persnickety brother, the Tony we often looked at with awe for his multitude of skills and his canny way of staying above it all...we stood in envy, even if we hardly knew him. Lael Scott (New York City)

Juliana (Canto) Woodworth

January 16, 2010

I just heard about the passing of Tony. I am so sorry for your loss. I remember him well in Stonington, CT when I was much younger. I use to babysit for Mamo and Sir in that great house on Main Street. My thoughts and prayers to all the family.

Joan Cobb

January 14, 2010

I remember Tony, on a visit to the Cambridge School, standing outside the girl's dorm and with the toe of his shoe, drawing a Hammer and Sickle in the gravel. Then he gave me a searching look, hoping, I think, to see a reaction which would confirm his political adventurousness. (1945).

January 12, 2010

Penny's call Tony's death triggered a flood of memories of youth in Bucks County and the interlacing of the Chapin and Jackson families ... those were happy, happy times that now seem so sweet while so sad as the future becomes the past. A fond memory of Tony is his playing (violin) duets with my sister Sala (piano) and his attempts at an invention for a page turner that inevitably ended with a fluttered interuption as the sheet music fell to the floor. I admired Tony and it was his image of life in Cambridge that motivated me to apply and go to Harvard for which I have been always grateful. I join all of you in sorrow of his passing. Ben(Schuyler) Jackson

Piera Kllanxhja

January 10, 2010

Dear Daphne, Timothy, Nathaniel, Mathew and Huge,
Uncle Tony gave so much joy to me, especially his wise responses to the beautiful Palisades of western Colorado, from the Gateway Auto Museum to beautiful surrounding cliffs and mountains. I will always hold the warm smile in his eyes close to my heart.

Love,
Piera Kllanxhja

Cherie West

January 8, 2010

Dear Daphne and family, Our deepest sympathy to you all with the loss of Tony. We have many fond memories of being neighbors in Stonington Borough. Kindest regards,Edmund and Cherie West

January 7, 2010

Daphne and the Boys,
I'm sorry to hear of Tony's passing. It has been a while since we've gotten together, but I remember fondly those early times on Mason Island and in Stonington. I feel we have passed on lasting friendships amongst our boys.
Martin McDonald

January 6, 2010

I am sorry to hear of Tony's passing as my grandparents, and my first address, was across the street from his parents in the Borough. He was one the first "conservationalist" voices in Stonington who really stood his ground and was always passionate to the end. I'd like to think that I share his same passion or some modicum of it. My best to Daphne and family, Alec Caldwell, Warren, Michigan (and Stonington Borough).

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