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Robert Y. Chapman Poqounnock Bridge, CT QCWA # 04321 |
Former ARRL New England Director Robert York Chapman, W1QV, of Groton, Connecticut, died November 21. He was 96. Chapman served as New England Division Director from 1965 until 1975, when the ARRL Board of Directors elected him an ARRL Honorary Vice President. Chapman also was president emeritus of the ARRL Foundation, which he helped to found in 1973.
"He was the 'grand old man' of Amateur Radio in Southeastern Connecticut 40 years ago when I became a ham," recalled ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ. Sumner said that during his tenure on the ARRL Board, Chapman championed ARRL life membership (he was a Charter Life Member) and, at the board's May 1968 meeting, proposed the ARRL Five-Band DXCC Award as the epitome of Amateur Radio DX achievement.
ARRL staff member Larry Wolfgang, WR1B, said the Amateur Radio community "has lost a great friend with W1QV's passing." Chapman continued to be active in Amateur Radio until health problems forced him to move to a long-term care facility, Wolfgang said.
An ARRL member since 1923 and a ham since 1924 (as 1QV), Chapman was the director of the Acoustical Research and Development Division at the US Navy Submarine Base in Groton, where he led the program to develop silencing mechanisms for ships. He also was the Navy´s chief technical consultant to submarine and destroyer training activities in the field of acoustics.
Chapman was a member and past president of the Tri-City Radio Club, a member of the A1 Operator Club, the Quarter Century Wireless Association, the Old Old Timers Club and IEEE.
The family invites memorial donations to the Poquonnock Bridge Baptist Church, South Road, Groton, CT 06340.
(Source: ARRL)
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Robert York Chapman , 96, of 28 South Road, Groton died Friday morning, Nov 21, 2003, at the Groton Regency.
He was born in Pawcatuck on Aug 9, 1907, the son of Robert A. and Nancy York Chapman. He was married to Marjorie Manion on Oct 4, 1930, at St. James Episcopal Church in New London. Marjorie died, Oct 26, 1997.
Mr. Chapman served in the Naval Reserve during World War II. He had studied at Columbia University and Johns Hopkins University. He had been the Director of the Acoustical Research and Development Division at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, where he led the program to develop silencing mechanisms for ships and served as the Navy's chief technical consultant to submarine and destroyer training activities in the field of acoustics. He had received the Superior Civilian Service Award in 1974. He was also honored for his work in identifying sound ranging techniques for the Polaris submarines prior to their use in the Pacific.
Robert was an avid amateur radio operator with the call signal of WIQV. He was president emeritus of the American Radio Relay League Foundation and a member and past president of the Tricity Radio Club.
He was one of the founding members of the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department, a member of the Groton Lodge of Elks, the Union Lodge of Masons and the Poquonnock Bridge Baptist Church.
He is survived by three sons, Courtland Chapman of Mystic, Robert M. Chapman of Chapel Hill, NC, and John R. Chapman of Long Beach, CA; a daughter, Nancy Chapman Palmer Sullivan of New London; and a sister, Ethel Chapman Souza of Groton; 16 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a grandson, David Chapman and a sister, Elinor Chapman Stewart.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, Nov 24, 2003, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St.
Donations in Robert and Marjorie Chapman´s name may be made to the Poquonnock Bridge Baptist Church, South Road, Groton CT 06340.
(Source: The Day (New London, CT), November 22, 2003)
