CHAPMAN, Ralph Frederick 94, formerly of Tampa, and a native of Detroit, MI, passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Ralph graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1943 and was captain of the basketball team. Ralph was a Navy radar officer and a veteran of WWII. Ralph moved to Tampa in 1951 and was the Director of the Tampa Chamber of Commerce's Visitors Bureau for 32 years and served as the community's liaison with the Cincinnati Reds when they trained in Tampa. He also helped with the planning and coordination as a Director of the very first Super Bowl held in Tampa. Ralph was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty; brother, Robert; and is survived by his wife, Nancy Finley Chapman; four sons, Fredrick Chapman, Mark Mellon, Matt Mellon, and Garry Mellon; two daughters, Robin Chapman Cain Allen and Cindy Butler; sister, Virginia Smith; twelve grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. Ralph's request was for his ashes to be laid to rest beside his fellow veterans at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. Burial service will be. Sept. 9 at 10:30AM.
"Just Keep Smiling"
Published in the Tampa Bay Times on Sept. 4, 2016
"Just Keep Smiling"
Published in the Tampa Bay Times on Sept. 4, 2016
CHAPMAN, Ralph Frederick 94, formerly of Tampa, and a native of Detroit, MI, passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Ralph graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1943 and was captain of the basketball team. Ralph was a Navy radar officer and a veteran of WWII. Ralph moved to Tampa in 1951 and was the Director of the Tampa Chamber of Commerce's Visitors Bureau for 32 years and served as the community's liaison with the Cincinnati Reds when they trained in Tampa. He also helped with the planning and coordination as a Director of the very first Super Bowl held in Tampa. Ralph was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty; brother, Robert; and is survived by his wife, Nancy Finley Chapman; four sons, Fredrick Chapman, Mark Mellon, Matt Mellon, and Garry Mellon; two daughters, Robin Chapman Cain Allen and Cindy Butler; sister, Virginia Smith; twelve grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. Ralph's request was for his ashes to be laid to rest beside his fellow veterans at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. Burial service will be. Sept. 9 at 10:30AM.
"Just Keep Smiling"
Published in the Tampa Bay Times on Sept. 4, 2016
"Just Keep Smiling"
Published in the Tampa Bay Times on Sept. 4, 2016
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