Frederick W. Chapman

Portsmouth, RI - Frederick W. Chapman, CDR, USN Ret., 80, of Portsmouth, died Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at Grand Islander Health Care Center in Middletown. He was the husband of Theresa M. Frew Chapman. They had been married for 60 years. Born in Greenport, NY on Feb. 12, 1927, he was the son of the late Frederick D. and Roberta Brown Chapman.Upon completion of High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an Apprentice Seaman. Following boot camp and Fleet Sound School, he served as a Sonarman on six Destroyers ranging from flush deck, four pipers to 2100 and 2500 new construction. After promotion to Chief Petty Officer and several instructor tours, he was selected for Officer Candidate School and commissioned as a Line Officer in 1958. He then served in Deck, Gunnery, ASW, Operations and Nuclear Weapons billets in Destroyers, Heavy Cruisers and Attack Carriers of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Shore assignment and sea duty at Deslant, Crudeslant, NAVSURFLANT and Surflant plus several CRYDESFLOT were also completed. Following two tours in Vietnam in the Tonkin Gulf and in-country, he retired with 35 years of active service at Naval Forces, Caribbean. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, LT COL Frederick W. Chapman, USAF Ret. and CDR Kenneth H. Chapman, USNR, a daughter, Terrie L. Newton, R.N., six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, June 28, 2007, from 1-2 and 4-6pm in the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Portsmouth Free Library, 2658 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871 or to the American Parkinson?s Disease Association, RI Chapter, PO Box 41659, Providence, RI 02940.