Warner Oliver Chapman

  Warner Oliver Chapman died June 11, 2008, in Virginia Beach, Va., at the age of 89. He was born April 17, 1919, in Norfolk, Va. Plans for a memorial service are pending.

Chapman was Professor Emeritus at Indiana University, a retired colonel of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves (USMCR), and a decorated World War II fighter pilot. He graduated from Norfolk’s Maury High School in 1937 and the University of Virginia in 1941 with an undergraduate degree with honors in political science. He earned a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Virginia in 1950.

   Assigned to Marine fighter squadrons VMF 221 and VMF 224 during World War II, Chapman saw combat service in the Solomon Islands and aboard the carrier Franklin. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with four stars, the Air Medal with 15 stars and the Purple Heart with two stars. Following the war he served in the USMCR, retiring in 1976 at the rank of Colonel.

   Chapman was a member of the Indiana University faculty from 1950 to 1989, advancing to full professor in the Department of Political Science where he taught constitutional law. In addition, he founded the university’s Honors Division — now the Hutton Honors College — directing it for 20 years as Associate Dean for Undergraduate Development. In 1991, he was awarded a Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Governor Evan Bayh; and in 1999 he was honored by the creation of the endowed Warner O. Chapman Professorship in the IU Department of Political Science.

   An avid competitive racing sailor, at age 61 Chapman and his son Dave won the 1980 Mobjack National Championship.

   Chapman is survived by his wife, Grace Kelley Chapman, and his children and their families: Susan Hersberger and Rod, Bakersfield, Calif.; Nancy Anderson and Brian, San Diego, Calif.; Warner Davies (Dave) and Cyndy, Charlottesville, Va.; and Virginia Rosenberg and Sam, West Palm Beach, Fla. Grandchildren are Mark Hersberger and Kate Hersberger Greenberg, Sarah and Grace Anderson, and Reuben Chapman. He is also survived by his wife’s children and their families: Ann Short and Carter, Charlottesville, Va.; Jean Horne and Ken, Bedford, Va.; and Tom Kelley, Virginia Beach, Va.; and Chapman’s brother Semmes Chapman and Helen, Virginia Beach.

Chapman was preceded in death by his first wife, Sarah Mills (Tillie) Chapman, and his sister Agnes Wells.

   Gifts in memory of Warner O. Chapman may be made through the Indiana University Foundation to the Honors College Enrichment Fund or through the UVA Fund to the Undergraduate Honors Program of the Woodrow Wilson Department of Politics at the University of Virginia.

Online condolences can be expressed to the bereaved family.