Richard "Dick" Chapman

Dick passed away on November 25, 2011 at home with his family by his side. He was born on May 24, 1947 to Emil and Helen Chapman (both born in Sweden) in Bremerton, Washington. He joined his big brother Bob to complete the family. His dad was in the Marine Corp so they moved around a bit. Dick spent his elementary school years in China Lake, CA and on his dad's retirement the family moved back to Seattle. Dick graduated from Ingraham High School in 1965 and attended the University of Washington for two years and then enlisted in the US Army to fly.

He completed his flight school training and was sent to Vietnam as a Warrant Officer to fly the Army's then new helicopter gunship the Cobra. He served in the First Calvary, 2/20th ARA with the unit call sign "Blue Max". Dick spent 18 months in Vietnam and was discharged from the Army in April of 1970.

He married Diane Ackles in October of 1970. The light of his life were his children. Son Mark was born in 1974 and daughter Doriane followed in 1978.

He was hired by the Seattle Police Department on March of 1971. He received a two year degree in Law Enforcement at Shoreline Community College and a four year degree in Business from University of Puget Sound. He flew the police helicopter, worked the harbor boats, taught driving at the Seattle Police Academy and was a detective in the Accident Investigate Squad for 14 years and retired after 26 years in 1997. Dick did consulting work as Traffic Collision Analysis, Inc. until colon cancer forced.his final retirement in 2011.

Dick is survived by his loving wife Diane, son Mark Chapman and his wife Christine Lawson, daughter Doriane Gunnels and her husband Shawn step grandsons Malcolm and Thomas and most precious, his granddaughter Holliane Marie Gunnels who is 3 years old.

His is also survived by his brother Bob Chapman and his wife Sharlain, Nephew Will Chapman and his wife Jennifer, Nieces Cindi Larsen and her husband Mitch, Debbie Meadows and her husband Brian.

Dick's reminder is that if you are over 50 and have not had a colonoscopy please do so.