Robert L. Chipman

Just as he lived his life, Robert remained an inspiration in his passing to his family, doctors and others fighting aggressive forms of cancer at the University of North Carolina Oncology Center in Chapel Hill.

Born in Detroit, Michigan to Mary Nelson and Robert Andrew Chipman, Robert lived all his life in and around Raleigh. He was the second of three brothers. He is survived by both brothers Donald Chipman of Wilmington and David Chipman of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

He married Linda Faye Davis of Cary, North Carolina on Feb. 14, 1981 at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in Cary.

Robert was a veteran of the Vietnam War where he served as a cryptographer. A lifelong pioneer of the computer industry, Robert left a career as a municipal electrician to enter the exciting world of hardware and software design in the early-1980s. Demonstrating an intrepid spirit which would serve him well throughout his life and with no need for a formal college education, Robert excelled in the new high-tech environment, beginning two companies and, later, working to implement software solutions for a variety of national and international companies.

A warm and giving man, Robert spent his life working to make a better life for his family. Robert was a man given to the passions of his wife, his children and grandchildren and his Carolina Hurricanes. Robert lived a life of great joy, from the birth of his own children to seeing his sons and daughters graduate college, he lived life to the fullest and with no regrets.

He was never happier than when he was on his boat in and around Beaufort, NC spending spring and summer days at Cape Lookout relaxing in the sand.

A fantastic father, Robert was the quiet voice of calm and peace for his family, even during adversity, with a caring word or winning smile that showed his understanding.

He is survived by his wife and their four children: Adam Hatch of Washington, NC, his daughter Kara Fudge of Spring Lake, his daughter Karen Terrill of Raleigh and son Evan Chipman of Raleigh.

He is also survived by his granddaughters, Audrey Faye Hatch and Lily Katherine Hatch of Washington and Cameron Brooke Terrill of Raleigh and his grandsons Justin Fudge and Kevin Fudge of Fuquay Varina.

His family will receive friends Friday April 22, 2011 from 12:30-2:00 pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Rd., Raleigh, NC. Funeral service will be at 2:00 pm at the funeral home with interment to follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.