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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jul '98
Kenneth Richard Chapman * '46
No. 15503 * 30 Jul 1923 - 13 Feb 1994
Died in Cocoa Beach, FL * Inurned in West Point Columbarium,
West Point, NY.
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KENNETH Richard Chapman was born in Summerfield,
KS and grew up in Abilene. An excellent student at Abilene High,
Ken played clarinet and was the drum major his 1st two years.
He also excelled on the debate team. His brother, Gene, recalled:
"His high school years were not all serious. It was common
knowledge that Ken and his cronies were responsible for the Limburger
cheese being placed in the heating system, which cleared the
building for 24 hours."
"After high school, Ken attended Kansas State
University for three semesters until he received his appointment
to West Point. Awaiting departure, he filled a vacancy in the
high school math department. As fate would have it, our sister,
two years his junior, was in his class. Upon receiving a D-minus,
she declared war. He told the folks, 'I don't know why she's
so upset. She deserved an F.' "
Cadet life presented no great problems to Ken.
He did well academically and had no trouble with the Tacs. He
graduated with his wings as a second lieutenant in the Army Air
Corps.
Ken married Mary Monroe of Enterprise, KS on 15
Jun 1946. After transition training at Enid AFB, OK, Ken was
assigned to Smoky Hill AFB, KS as a B-29 pilot, then to Biggs
AFB, TX, 97th Bomb Group. In 1949, he became an instructor at
Sandia base, NM. He received his masters in nuclear chemistry
in 1954 from the University of California at Berkley. It was
back to New Mexico to Kirtland AFB as Assistant Chief, Research
Division and later as staff scientist at the Los Alamos Scientific
Laboratories to work on the nuclear rocket program.
In June of 1958, he was transferred to Indian Springs
AFB, NV as Commander of the 4935th Air Base Group. Ken returned
to New Mexico in 1959 to become Chief, Special Projects Division,
Air Force Special Weapons Center. After attending the Armed Forces
Staff College in 1963, Ken was assigned to the Atomic Energy
Commission in Germantown, MD. A 1966 graduate of the Industrial
College of the Armed Forces, Ken became Deputy Director for Requirements,
Plans and Analysis, HQS USAF in Washington, DC. In 1970, Ken
became Deputy Chief of Staff, Development Plans, Air Force Systems
Command at Andrews AFB, MD. His next assignment was in 1973 as
Commander of the Air Force Eastern Test Range at Patrick AFB,
FL. He returned to the Pentagon in 1974 to become Deputy Chief
of Staff, Research and Development, HQ USAF. Ken retired in 1975
as a major general.
Retirement found Ken appointed to the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission and then working for NASA. In 1978, the Chapmans moved
to Texas where Ken became the Planning Vice President for LTV
Aerospace and Defense Company. Ken and Mary retired in 1986 to
Cocoa Beach, FL. They enjoyed bridge, golf and swimming.
Ken died from cancer. Survivors include his wife,
Mary; daughter, Margaret; son, David; brother, Eugene and sisters,
Virginia, Ruth, Dolores and Betty.
Ken Chapman's life was one of dedication and performance.
He never thought about doing anything halfway. He always gave
his best with his goal to be the best Air Force officer he could
be, and he succeeded. His loving family, friends and classmates
remembered what made him so special to them.
Air Force classmate and former Chief of Staff,
USAF, Lew Allen recalled: "Ken was an excellent technical
officer and made may fine contributions. He was a superb leader
-- calm, cool and forceful."
Air Force classmate, John Molchan, remembered:
"I was always impressed with Ken's overall optimism and
genial personality. For those times we spent together, I shall
always remember his smile and great optimism about life. A true
friend."
Ken's son, David, reminisced: "Dad instilled
a broad foundation of skills, interest and a high degree of motivation.
I am very grateful for this. His was an imposing presence, tall
and handsome. From the latter part of his life, I learned from
Dad that when we come to the end of our career path, we have
only ourselves, our family, our friend and our beliefs to use
as a foundation for meaning. It is most important that we cultivate
these relationships to lead truly fulfilled lives. Dad never
considered that he should invest more energy into his own well
being. He was a truly selfless man and a great father who tirelessly
gave of himself so that his family could lead better lives."
These words of love and remembrance depict Ken
as a true son of West Point who dedicated his life to the concepts
of Duty, Honor, Country. The Class of 1946 proudly adds those
words that would mean so much to our classmate: "Well Done,
Ken; Be Thou At Peace!"
1946 Memorial Article Project and his family
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