Glen CHAPMAN

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CHAPMAN: Glen Eldon (February 7, 1925 - December 17, 2014). Our father and grandfather passed away December 17, 2014 after 88 good years and a not so good past year. He died of old age brought upon by bladder cancer and its effects. We know if you had asked him he would have told you he got his money’s worth out of life. The road was generally good to Glen with only a few unexpected turns. The first curve would be his time in the navy during WWII. One would have to ask how a guy from the middle of the country could end up in the navy! He did and he learned all about neatness and organization. As a family we are certain his house keepers wondered why they were hired when his place was already “spit and polished”. Dad’s family was involved in the Ag/Auto industry but somehow after the war he ended up with Hydro and along came curve number two. While working in a pole yard he was crushed and broke his back. He survived but his fused back didn’t let him have as good a golf swing as he would have liked. He eventually found his way into the auto industry and made a lifelong career out of it with General Motors. Glen and his wife Corinne ended up owning Chapman Motors Ltd when the biggest curve came their way. In 1974 their oldest son Aubrey died when caught by a riptide in the ocean off of Florida. They say it is very tough on parents to have a child pass away before you. Our parents sold the business in 1976, probably largely due to our brother’s death. The next seven years saw Glen working as a flax straw buyer driving the countryside and dealing with farmers. He loved the job. He’d buy his flax straw then stop to do his paperwork and have a “nip”. His haunts were the school at Star Mound and the old church at Pembina Crossing. In 1983 the whole family got back in the car business and thirty some years later we are still at it. Along the way Glen’s wife Corinne died, as did his brothers Jack and Les. His sister Jean is alive and well, living with her husband Ray in Trail, BC. People were the backbone of our Dad’s life – he wanted to know who you were and what you did. He knew lots of people and if he didn’t know you he was certain to know someone you knew – he always found common ground with people. He loved the area history books because he could go and look things up. He was right almost all the time; he just had to “confirm things”. Glen always loved to know what was going on. Last year a farmer asked us “Is your dad a building inspector?” We asked why he would ask that. He replied “I’ve gone to the farm four days this week and three of them I’ve passed him on the highway watching them building a pole shed”. We said no, he’s just curious about what’s going on in the community. Glen saw a lot of the world with Arizona being his second home. We know he introduced many people to Mesa. Moving on will be toughest on the grandkids Brooklyn and Aubrey and their parents Murray and Leanne as they spent the most time with Dad. Last fall Brooklyn was fortunate enough to take Grandpa on one of his last trips around the countryside to check out the harvest. Unfortunately he wasn’t able to watch Aubrey play as a “Shamrock”, but was so proud of his grandson’s hockey skills. Bob, Sharon, Ron and Carol will get by with our memories as everyone does. It is a little easier when you know your Dad had a good long life. As per Glen’s wishes there will only be a private family interment. He said to make sure you say thanks and goodbye to my friends and customers. He also said to those who left before him he’ll see you soon and to those who’ll be coming later he’ll be waiting. We close with a saying from Ron and Carol’s grandchildren “Your Dad has gone across the Rainbow Bridge to a better place”~ The Chapman FamilyMurray, Leanne, Brooklyn (Brett) and AubreyRon, Carol and familyBob and Sharon

As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 20, 2014