A tribute to Robert Fuller Chapman spoken by his business partner Alex Wargon at Bob's funeral in 1986.
We are morning today, the untimely departure of Robert Fuller Chapman, a kind and gentle person, a man of determination and stature, behind an unassuming, modest almost humble façade.
Bob was:
the loving and beloved husband of Pauline,
a true friend of Marie, the mother of his children
a caring father of Susan, Peter and David,
and grandfather of Edan,
a brother to June and Peter
a dependable friend and companion to all of us
a person who earned our respect and whom we shall greatly miss
Bob grew up in the midst of depression, deprived of the comforts of life, which we now take for granted.
He was a battler in the true Australian tradition, he struggled for his right to education, which he finally achieved by his own effort and probably against all odds after the service in the Corps of Engineers. I met Bob almost a quarter of a century ago, two complete strangers born on the opposite poles of the globe, from different culture and ethnic backgrounds, worlds apart. In spite of these and other differences we have formed a partnership, a bond of friendship, based on mutual respect, which was to last 23 years and which I will cherish in fond memory, as long as I live.
Bob was not only a dependable friend, but also a companion, an advisor; we shared the excitements of professional life and likewise the trials and tribulations, all in inevitable part of living. From this relationship, we derived the comforts needed for balanced life.
Bob loathed conventions, regimentation or any form of intellectual oppression or domination. He was not a prisoner of habit and in fact could not tolerate boredom, seeking all his life the interest, excitement of new ideas and concepts. He shied away from pomp and hyperbolae and possessed a gift precise, fluent yet simple expression.
Bob enjoyed life; he was a loving and devoted family man, but perhaps not extravagant in expressing his concern, the affection and other emotions. I was probably singled out by him, to share the thoughts and feeling for his family. Bob spoke of his children with a great deal of care, love and devotion.
Professionally Bob's wise counsel and his uncompromising and utter honesty were a tower of strength in guiding our practice through over 22 years of its rather turbulent existence.
Bob was a creative and imaginative engineer, who utilised his unusual perception of spatial geometry, as a fundamental tool in engineering. He was capable of seeing, in his mind, the most intricate spatial configuration and map an engineering solution without putting pen to paper. Bob's professional love, his magnificent obsession was the geometric dome, which he kept constructing in a variety of scales and versions. His, as yet unfulfilled dream was the 500 foot version, the geometry of which he knew to its most minute detail.
Bob was a very active member of the professional fraternity. ACEA councillor for many years, past president ACSE, member of the various professional committees and bodies.
Bob enjoyed a full and interesting life, in which there was no place for petty idiosyncrasies or greed.
In the last years he has achieved the tranquillity and sense of stability and security essential for his well being. Surrounded by love, affection and care, he enjoyed the fruits of his labour, the comfort of his gratuitous home and the tranquillity of its surrounding. Unfortunately it was not destined to last.
Bob Chapman was indeed a man of stature, a friend whom we will all miss.
Rest in peace Bob - we shall remember you with reverence.
