John Chapman

Oct 7, 2025

John was born in early 1931, in Springfield, Mo., and was raised in Evanston Wyo. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy and Purdue University where he earned a master's degree in civil engineering. As an Air Force officer, John worked and lived in Labrador, Canada, and Texas. Seeking adventure, he pursued a civil engineer job opening at the Fairbanks City Manager's office in Alaska, where he left the Air Force to move in 1960. While in Fairbanks he met his wife Darlene at the Fairbanks Curling Club. They were married in Anchorage, in 1966, and had three children: Elizabeth Chapman, Judy Chapman (Parker Martyn) and Bill Chapman. John was employed as a civil engineer at Tryck Nyman and Hayes for over 40 years, becoming a company partner.

John was always a dog lover, and he has had special relationships with his kids' dogs over the years, including Ginny, Kimmik, Louie, Butane and Maddie. In recent years, John loved spending time at home, walking his favorite creature in the world, son Bill's 140-pound malamute, Monty. John and Monty were a fixture in the neighborhood and community, walking everywhere together.

John was caring and generous with his time and efforts. He showed his love through acts of kindness. He supported his children through school, helped industrious grandkids Anna and Will Shumway build a wonderful fort and made sure the family dogs were walked and had all the treats they wanted.

The Chapman family would like to thank the staff of the Double Musky for their quick response and understanding in a crisis, as well as the firefighter, nurses and Girdwood EMS team that worked diligently and quickly to save John's life. Although ultimately unsuccessful, their expertise, compassion and professionalism were - and remain - hugely appreciated. We thank you.

A memorial service for John is at 1 p.m., on Oct. 18, 2025, at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Eagle River.