Walter Richard Chapman (“Chappy”) of El Cajon died suddenly on October 17, 2018. He was 85 years old. Richard was born on July 4, 1933 on the family homestead near Upton, Wyoming and lived and worked on the family ranch until he entered the Navy in San Diego in 1951. While serving in San Diego as a dental technician, he met Patricia Ellerman of Lemon Grove, and was married on October 24, 1953, at St. John of the Cross Church in Lemon Grove.
When he was discharged from the Navy he went to work at General Dynamics as a plaster pattern maker and also enrolled at City College and later, at San Diego State College where he studied engineering. He worked nights and went to school days. He and Pat had six children and they were busy with work and youth activities for many years. He coached Little League teams in Santee and also helped Pat coach Bobby Sox Softball teams.
In 1971 Richard took classes to sell insurance and prepare income tax returns and he opened a Farmers Insurance office in Lemon Grove in 1972. In 1982, he returned to General Dynamics as a Manufacturing Engineering Specialist and was later promoted to Chief Engineer of the Liaison Engineering Department working on the MD-11 jet airliner until his retirement in 1991.
After retirement, Richard continued to prepare income tax returns and traveled with Pat in their motor home visiting all 50 states, Canada, and traveled to the Mexican Riviera and Rome.
Pat died in 2001 and Richard stopped doing income tax returns. In 2003, he met a new love Dottie Klotz, and they enjoyed traveling, fishing, camping, cruises and dancing. They were the life of the party at all family events.
Richard is survived by his children, Beth Hanson (and husband Brad), Jim Chapman (and wife Mary), Linda Hoffard (and husband Danny), Lorie Hoffard (and husband Randy), and son Ken Chapman. He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Mary, wife Patricia, brothers Harold and Jack, and daughter Kathy Hanson. He was also blessed with 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Lakeside on November 10 at 9:30 a.m. with a reception to follow at the church social center. Burial will be at the El Cajon Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
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