Ronald Gene Chapman, 81, of Melbourne, FL, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.
The son of Clifford and Ada (Robison) Chapman, Ron was born outside of North English, IA on November 18, 1940. He played football for Wellman High School and graduated in 1959. On May 2, 1963, in Mt. Pleasant, IA, he married Sheila (Watson), the absolute love of his life.Together they raised four daughters.
After a long and successful career as an insurance adjuster, Ron embraced the next chapter of his life. He was an avid reader of anything and everything. He gave his love of reading to his daughters. He enjoyed target shooting at the gun range and competing in cowboy shooting competitions. Ron loved traveling with Sheila and was able to visit many places in Europe including Italy, Greece, Turkey, and France. He was grateful to pay his respects at Normandy. His favorite travel destination was Playa del Carmen, Mexico. He loved the people, their culture, and exploring the area. In addition, many vacations were spent seeing the sights on his beloved Honda Goldwing. Ron loved watching college football, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes. He loved cooking and baking. He always wanted to try new recipes and bake birthday cakes for the family. (The cake would always be angel food, his favorite!) He was a stranger to no one, loved talking to everyone, and debating life's issues. And boy, could he debate! Ron loved, bread, peanut butter, bacon, family, and life. Not a day went by where he didn't talk about how much his wife, and his family meant to him. For Ron, his family was his greatest achievement. He was always so proud of his family and his support was unconditional.
Ron will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 59 years; daughters: Dawn (Phil) Smith of Melbourne, FL, Michelle (Mike) Mendenhall of Sleepy Hollow, IL, Tracy (Pat) Denby of Melbourne FL, and Teri Chapman of Melbourne FL; along with six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren; and his brother Harold Chapman who resides in Kalona, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, James Chapman, Wayne Chapman, Russell Chapman, and Joe Chapman.
To Ron (Husband, Dad, Father-in-law, Papa, Grandpa, Brother, Son, and Friend) ~ We promise to live the rest of our lives the way you would want - with gratitude, curiosity, passion, humor, kindness, and love. We will meet you two stars past the moon.
Memorials can be made to the donor's choice.