OBITUARY - ROBERT B. CHAPMAN

Robert B. Chapman, 95, under Hospice care at Sterling House in Stuart, FL, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2014. He was born June 12, 1918 in Game, Kentucky, to Theodore and Alma (Jordan) Chapman. Robert grew up in Michigan and earned a degree from Eastern Michigan University. He became a high school teacher in Farmington, Michigan. He continued his education and earned a master's degree in Education from Wayne State University. During this time he met and married his college sweetheart, Thelma Light, who shared his passion for education. They married after they completed their first year of teaching. Robert competed in varsity baseball and basketball at the high school and college levels. He played softball into his retirement years.
In 1952, he accepted a position as office manager of a new company in Decatur, Alabama in the synthetic fiber business, later acquired by Monsanto. After several promotions, transfers to Pensacola, Florida, and New York City, and obtaining a property and casualty insurance agent license, his final career at Monsanto world headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri where he achieved the position of Corporate Director of Insurance. He had worldwide responsibility for the company's casualty and property insurance. His position with Monsanto led to many business dealings in Europe, and he was especially proud of his association and transactions with Lloyds of London insurance brokers.
His Monsanto travels gave Robert and his wife of 62 years the opportunity to have many adventurous travels throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. In their spare time, Robert and his wife became accomplished bridge players, both attaining the rank of Silver Life Masters. Through their travels they were privileged to play bridge all over the world, sometimes competing against celebrities and top ranked players.
He is survived by his sons Richard Chapman and wife Cheryl Trenholme of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Ronald Chapman and wife Patricia of Lake Worth, Florida, daughter-in-law Mary Jane Chapman, of Glenn Ellyn, Illinois; sister Virginia Smith, of Decatur Alabama, brother Ralph Chapman and wife Nancy of Valrico, Florida, six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Robert is predeceased by his wife Thelma, his parents Theodore and Alma Chapman and his son Robert Bruce Chapman.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00pm, Sunday, April 6, 2014 at Unity of Stuart, 211 SE Central Parkway, Stuart, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian St., Stuart, Florida 34997 or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Rd, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.