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Formerly of Spring Lake, Mr. Chapin was an Austin, Texas resident since 2004 when he and his wife, Jane, left Michigan for the warmer climate of Austin and proximity to their son, James C. Chapin, MD.
William S. Chapin Jr.
Fri, May 9, 2008
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, William S. Chapin Jr., 86, passed away peacefully in his sleep, April 17, 2008, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.
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Formerly of Spring Lake, Mr. Chapin was an Austin, Texas resident since 2004 when he and his wife, Jane, left Michigan for the warmer climate of Austin and proximity to their son, James C. Chapin, MD.
Born in Ann Arbor, May 2, 1921, son of Dr. William S. Chapin and Ethel Maud (Hardy) Chapin, Mr. Chapin graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1939, Muskegon Junior College in 1941 and the University of Michigan Engineering School in 1944 where he was a member of the honorary engineering society Tau Beta Pi. In 1943, he wed his high school sweetheart, Jane Margaret Carlson. Upon graduation from University of Michigan, he was recruited by the Tennessee Eastman Co., moving them to Oak Ridge, TN, where Mr. Chapin worked on the Manhattan Project for the duration of World War II. He retired in 1985 from Dresser Industries in Muskegon where he was director of engineering. Active in the Crane Manufacturers Association of America, the Muskegon Heights chapter of Kiwanis Club, the Spring Lake Improvement Association, the Spring Lake Yacht Club, and the Spring Lake Country Club, he was also a member of the First Congregational Church of Muskegon.
Mr. Chapin derived great pleasure and satisfaction in the building and maintaining of his home of 46 years on Spring Lake. Of special joy was the annual preparation for summer family reunions. He also enjoyed boating, photography and travel. His family treasured and will greatly miss his wit, wisdom, wonderful sense of humor, and most importantly, his love and commitment to family, friends and community.
Besides his wife of 65 years, Jane, he is survived by his two sons and two daughters: William S. Chapin III and his wife, Toko, of Edwards, CO, James C. Chapin, MD and his wife, Pat, of Austin, TX, Sally Chapin Langham of New York and Palm Beach, FL, and Ann Chapin Fischer and her husband, Vadim, of Ridgefield, CT; his adored and adoring grandchildren: Trevor and Miles Chapin, Matthew and Lauren Chapin and Anastasia and Hannah Fischer; his sisters: Ruth Cleveland of Spring Lake, Phyllis Jennings of Pinckney, Robert Chapin of Bakersfield, CA, and Rita Cox of Encino, CA; as well as 21 nieces and nephews across the country. Two sisters, Gertrude and Marjorie, and one brother, Merwin, died before him.
A family memorial service will be held at Remembrance Gardens in Austin, TX, on May 19. The Chapin family is deeply grateful for the tender care given by staff at Summit Westlake Hills Healthcare over the past two years. Donations in Mr. Chapin's memory may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008, www.michaeljfox.org, or to the charity of your choice.