Obituary of Cmdr. Ralph D. Chapman

Lt. Comm. Ralph D. Chapman Ret. 89, of Evelyn Street, passed away Friday morning at his home. Born in Amsterdam Oct. 9, 1921, the last surviving child of Frank and Elizabeth Droege Chapman. Ralph's dad lived to the age of 102. A graduate of Amsterdam High School, and later Syracuse University, where he became an incurable fan of the Orangemen and the Yankees right up until his death. It was during this time that he joined the Navy ROTC . He proudly served with the US Navy during World War II and Korea and remained in for thirty eight years as a commissioned officer. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Ralph proudly served in the Atlantic and Mediterranean aboard the USS Fresno. He was an accomplished clarinet and saxophone player, and as part of the Naval band, had the honor of playing for European heads of state. Ralph continued with the Naval Reserve Unit in Scotia until the time of his death. Following his retirement, he was employed as Chief Fiscal Officer for Fulton Montgomery Community College in Johnstown . He was a member of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served at one time on the congregation council and was a charter member of the Sacandaga Boat Club. His first wife, Jean Monroe Chapman died in 1974. He married the former Esther Shattuck Bell on June 11, 1977, and she survives. He will be forever missed by his son, Ralph D. Bonnie Chapman Jr. of Libertyville, Ill., daughters Lynne Brooks of Scotia , Laurie Tom Volpi of Defreetsville, NY; and Debra Chapman of Bridgeport, Conn.; step son Daniel Allen Stephanie Bell of Ballston Spa; step daughter Kathleen John Houghton of Hingham Mass.; grandchildren; Alexis Blair, Mara Bushey, Ashley Kenna, Jeffrey and James Chapman, Mallory and Nolan Volpi; great grandchildren;Ethan Blair, Riley Brooks and Ava Bushey; step grandchildren and great grandchildren. Services will be held Tuesday at 11:00 am at the Trinity E.L. Church, 40 Guy Park Avenue. The Rev. William T. Hodgetts, Jr., pastor will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Calling hours are Monday from 5 to 7 pm at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to Trinity E.L. Church or to Community Hospice Of Amsterdam, both in care of the funeral home office.