Dr. Ben H. Chlapek

Services for Dr. Ben H. Chlapek, 69, of Temple will be Wednesday, July 30, at 10:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church in Temple with Rev. Theiss Jones and Rev. Doug Young. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. Dr. Chlapek died Sunday, July 27, at his residence. Ben was born in Temple, Texas on December, 17, 1938, the son of Ella Frances Hejl Chlapek and Ben Frank Chlapek. He was married for 52 years to his beloved wife, Carolyn Sandefur Chlapek. Together they have seven children and fourteen grandchildren. Ben graduated from Temple High School in 1956, where he was a member of the Wildcat football team and Temple High band. After high school, Ben attended Rice Institute and then the University of Texas in Austin, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy. He practiced pharmacy for ten years in Austin and in Temple. He then earned a medical degree from the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine. He worked for six years in the Emergency Room at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, Missouri before moving back to Temple in May of 1982. He spent the rest of his career in the Emergency Department of Scott & White where he became respected and beloved by many. He demonstrated kindness and genuine concern for all his patients and comforted many people with a warm blanket or by singing "Jesus Loves Me" to little ones while he stitched their wounds. Ben also served in the community through the Lion's club, of which he is past president, his church, where he was a deacon and choir member, and by serving on the school boards in both Liberty, Missouri, and Temple, Texas. He also held many board positions with the American Medical Association, the American College of Osteopathic Medicine, and was past president and board member of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians. He was also a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Dr. Chlapek held his faith in God as the most important thing in his life.more than family, more than his profession. He chose to live each day to its fullest, glorifying God, and loving others. No matter their age, race, or background, he saw each person as an individual who was made by God for a specific purpose. He was known for reaching out to those in need, and always with a joyful heart. Dr. Chlapek was also very proud of each of his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren. Never a day went by that he didn't say, "Love you, proud of you!" He worked hard to send each child to gain a college education, and although he was always there to lend advice, he allowed each child to make decisions to live their individual lives. Dr. Chlapek was blessed to meet and marry Carolyn at a young age, and he loved her unconditionally. He was an incredible example of what a Godly, encouraging husband should be. He was an incredible man with an amazing personality, and will be missed by his family, friends, and the community. Dr. Chlapek is survived by his wife, Carolyn; a son, LTC Ben David Chlapek, his wife, Terri, and sons Ben Thomas, Tyler, and Casey of Liberty, Missouri; and six daughters:. Janet Chlapek, of Temple, and her son Jason, of New Braunfels; Ann Chlapek Garrett, and her husband Rusty, and son Will, of Waco; Susan Chlapek Steincross and her husband, Kip, and daughters Julia and Emma, of Bloomington, Minnesota; Linda Chlapek Lytle and her husband Rich, and son Ross and daughter Amy, of Plano; Christi Chlapek Wooderson and her husband Paul, sons Nathan and Jacob, of Columbia, Missouri; and Cynthia Chlapek Berg and her husband Chad, son Seth and daughters Sarah and Ella Grace, of Temple. He is also survived by his brother, John Henry Chlapek, and his wife Bobbye, of Temple, and many nephews, nieces and cousins. Visitation will be held 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 29, at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Scott & White Hospital, 2401 S. 31st St., Temple, Texas 76508 or First Baptist Church, 102 W. Barton Ave., Temple, Texas 76501. "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13