Robert A. Chapin

Robert A. Chapin

Robert A. Chapin, 85, of Tripoli, died Thursday, January 3, 2013, at the Waverly Health Center.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 7, 2013, at Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli with Rev. Marilyn J. Sargent officiating. Friends may call from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, January 6, 2013, at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli. Private family committal service will be at Fremont Cemetery in Tripoli at a later date.

Robert Arthur Chapin, son of Myron and Minnifred Barr Chapin, was born January 8, 1927, on the family farm where he still lived, near Tripoli, Iowa. He was baptized at the Congregational Church of rural Tripoli. Robert received his education in the Tripoli Schools, graduating from Tripoli High School in 1945. On May 28, 1950, he was united in marriage with Mary Lea Scott at Zion Lutheran Church in Readlyn. Bob farmed his entire life and also did carpentry and construction work. He was a longtime member of Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli where he sang in the choir and served on the church council. In his youth he participated in 4-H and as an adult he served as a 4-H leader for over thirty years. He also played softball when he was younger and always enjoyed playing cards.

In addition to his wife, Mary of Tripoli, he is survived by one son, Scott (Lisa) Chapin of Tripoli; two daughters, Debra (Danny) Brunscheon of Readlyn and Lori Wannebo of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; nine grandchildren, Christopher Brunscheon, Kira and Anthony Wannebo, Justine (David) Liddle, Courtney Chapin, Catie and RJ Ott, and Cory and Tad Chapin; three great grandchildren, Brylie Brunscheon, and Logan and Paisley Liddle; two sisters, LaVera Benzine of Janesville and Beth Lovejoy of Waverly; a sister-in-law, Marillyn Chapin; a brother-in-law, Lloyd Mallie of Mt. Vernon; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Dan Wannebo; a brother, John; three sisters, Winnifred Moehlis, Doris Mallie, and Lorraine Lovejoy; and four brothers-in-law, Les Moehlis, Marvin Benzine, Keith Lovejoy, and Garth Lovejoy.

Lisa Carlson on January 7, 2013 at 7:32 AM said:

Lori, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family today. We are thinking of you!

Roger & Beth Goudschaal on January 7, 2013 at 5:37 AM said:

Mary, Deb, Lori, & Scott & family, Please accept our deepest sympathies in the loss of our dear Bob. A gentler spirit we're not sure we've ever met. Of course, our times on stage together will be memories that we will always cherish and the laughter that he brought to us all will never be forgotten. I will remember Bob for the ways in which he taught me to be a better servant of our Lord - he modeled his faith for us all. As a member of our Faith family, we will always remember our times together in choir and worship service. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. God has received a wonderful member of heaven's choir. Roger & Beth

Ben Kehe on January 6, 2013 at 4:30 PM said:

Dear Mary and family.
So sorry to hear of your loss. I will always remember Bob's kind, cheerful and caring personality.

Janet & Larry Ladage on January 5, 2013 at 10:07 PM said:

A great neighbor for many years when I was growing up. When asked how he was, he would always reply "terrible". Also, since my moms name was Irene he would always say "we'll good night Irene" when he saw her. Missed by all.

Robert, Carol, and Joyce Brewer on January 5, 2013 at 11:20 AM said:

To Scott, Lisa, Mary, and the entire Chapin family,

We were saddened to hear of Bob's passing. He was a good neighbor for many years. Bob was always a pleasure to work with, whether it was baling hay, chopping corn to fill the silos, or whatever.

I know you will miss him, but in time, the Lord does provide comfort.

Bob Brewer

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