Robert (Bob) Morton Chapman

Bob Chapman passed away on May 11, 2019, in Casa Grande, Arizona.

He was born March 18, 1938, in Chicago, Il where he lived with his father Donald Chapman until high school, then moved to San Jose, California, to live with his mother D’Lores Blum. It was in high school he met Wanda Mae Booth, and they married in 1958. He helped manage his mothers’ many businesses while starting his own family.

In 1964, they moved to San Francisco, California, where he managed a Safeway. He obtained his pilot’s license in 1971, and after several trips flying to North Idaho they packed up and permanently moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1975. With three children and one on the way, he got a job at Discount Warehouse stocking shelves at night for $2.50 an hour. He was quickly promoted to store manager and would remain in that position until his retirement almost 25 years later. He enjoyed all the area had to offer with his family. Skiing, boating, camping, and golfing, receiving the red carpet treatment at Coeur d’Alene Resort after hitting a hole in one.

The stock market was his casino, winning more than he lost. He loved his job, the employees, and the customers. He enjoyed beautiful Yokes employee christmas parties and many great vacations during his tenure there. He had the utmost respect for his mentors John Bradetich and Chuck Yoke. His home office walls are covered in accolades for his volunteer work with Kiwanas, Rotary, and the Chamber of Commerce, as well as the highlight of his summers organizing the Yoke’s Annual Benefit Golf Tournament at Hidden Lakes.

He loved playing chess, laughed louder than anyone in the room, could never eat enough salami, and made the best Bloody Marys and margheritas you’ve ever had. He never met a stranger, and was happy to tell you his opinion about any given subject whether you asked for it or not. He was a die-hard Raiders fan, taking BART to Oakland to watch games in California, and attending the Seahawks vs Raiders game every year in Seattle after moving to Sandpoint. He wasn’t popular with his rogue team choice and wore his Raiders insignia every chance he got.

They moved to a retirement community in Casa Grande when he was 61. He quickly joined all the clubs and committees they offered, and within a month everyone in the park knew who “Chapman” was. As one of the youngest couples, they quickly became popular with the “four o’clocks,” parties hosted by different residents throughout the week. Between Mom’s cooking and Dad’s inability to leave guests with an empty glass, their parties were well attended. He enjoyed golfing and arguing about politics. One of his favorite possessions was a personalized signed photograph of George and Laura Bush he received after a donation to the RNC. He enjoyed morning coffee at the clubhouse, dances, parties, and the warm weather of his retirement, but headed straight to Yoke’s to check in on their return trips to Sandpoint in summer.

He will be greatly missed by his wife of 60 years, Wanda Mae; his five children, Elizabeth Tollbom, Donald Chapman, Laura (Russell) Stevens, Jeff Chapman, and Kimberli (Andy) Walker; his 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and his sister, Donna (Jim) Tkach of Los Gatos, California.

There will be no services per his request.