It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Craig Walter Chapman of Olds, Alberta on December 1st, 2020. He was the dear husband of Kate Chapman of Olds, Alberta for 24 years, brother of Paul (Kathy) Chapman of Calgary and son of Walter (died 1997) and Norma Chapman of Ancaster, Ontario.
Born in Hamilton Ontario, his early life on the vegetable farm in Ancaster allowed him space and time to experiment, perfect and redesign anything mechanical, electrical or structural. He followed this up in 1979 with a Bachelor of Engineering (Agricultural) from the University of Guelph, Ontario. By 1981 he was headed west to Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. There he was employed as Extension Engineer at the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute, testing and evaluating equipment, something he had started doing as a young boy. Besides his engineering job, he served his community and helped local farmers with cattle, seeding, and harvesting.
While in Portage la Prairie he realized his dream of getting his private pilot’s license, and purchased a two-seater Piper Tomahawk airplane. He spent many hours flying around Manitoba and flew to Calgary a few times to visit his brother Paul. In the early 1990s the air force flying training base at Southport was closed and privatized and in 1992 he became involved with the Board of the Southport Aerospace Centre, subsequently taking on the job as Airport Manager. During his tenure there, he implemented many improvements to the taxiways, runways and airport infrastructure, and the Centre hosted the Manitoba Air Show in 1994. He made many good and endearing friendships there, and met a young Kate Simpkin, whom he married on November 30, 1996.
In 1997 Craig and Kate moved to Olds, in 1999 Craig started his own engineering company, did many collaborations with Mike Richards of Richards Consulting & Associates and other engineers and builders, and continued to work on projects right up to his death. Craig loved cars, airplanes and anything mechanical. One winter he designed a homemade “zamboni” for his tractor to make a skating rink on a nearby pond. He could fix almost anything he put his mind to. He was very proud that he kept his 35-year old push lawnmower going, purchased for him by his dad Whitey Chapman. He loved driving around in his 1976 MGB and his restored 1970 International highway tractor, which he called a “chick magnet.” He was a talented and diligent Professional Engineer and made many friendships in the engineering and construction world.
Craig loved his friends and family and was a generous and kind person, several times gifting his used vehicles to friends or acquaintances in need. His soft heart was not always obvious, but he did the best he could within his ability to show his friends and family that he loved us in the things he provided and did for us. Craig was fun and had a witty sense of humour, was interesting to talk to, liked to share his knowledge with others, and was very good at explaining in plain language how mechanical and electrical things work. He was a good man and we will remember him with love, gratitude and appreciation. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Due to Covid-19 regulations, a private service was held. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Olds entrusted with arrangements. 403-507-8610 Condolences may be made or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com
