Reverend Robert Bruce Chapman Obituary (1930 - 2024)

Reverend Robert Bruce Bob Chapman, 93, a longtime resident of Chelmsford, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Barbara G. (Hollstein) Chapman with whom he shared nearly 72 years of marriage. He was born in Groveland on July 13, 1930, and was the son of the late Russell P. and Lena E. (Weymouth) Chapman. Bob grew up in Fitchburg where he dedicated his life to Christian missionary service through his mentor, Dr. Edwin Jacques, and completed high school in 1948. Educated at Gordon College, where Bob and Barbara met, Gordon Divinity School, and Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary in Denver, CO, his long career in Christian ministry encompassed mission work in Singapore and Borneo, Indonesia, and numerous pastorates in Massachusetts (Sheldonville/Wrentham, Fall River, and Acushnet) and Minnesota (Saint Paul and Jackson). Bob and Barbara together with three young children opened a mission field under the Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society in western Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia, alongside colleagues Arnold and Wanda Humble, in 1961. Bob set a high standard of preaching excellence, honing the homiletic craft with dependably fine sermons. Before retirement he served as conference minister for New Englands Conservative Baptist Association. Bob led a vigorously active life, full of travel and adventure in multiple world regions. Only age and lifes inevitable infirmities slowed him down. A solid basketball player with terrific set and running hook shots, Bob romanced Barbara through a genuine courtship at Gordon College in Boston: they both played the game and met on the hardwood. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he enjoyed sports and recreation, running and walking for exercise, stamp collecting, good food, reading history, and visits with family and friends to fellowship and converse. In addition to his loving wife, Rev. Chapman leaves his children, Robert B. Chapman Jr. with Cherry F. Chapman of Bridgton, ME, Richard M. Chapman with Joy K. Lintelman of Minneapolis, MN, Ruth Marie Hoyt with Willis Hoyt of Nisswa, MN, and Rachel Anne Chapman of Nisswa, MN. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. Rev. Chapman was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Helen Boynton and Phyllis Bean, and a son, Russell Paul, who died in infancy. Memorial services will be held in Minnesota at a future date. Memorial donations may be made in his name to Care Dimensions Hospice, Ste B-102, 75 Sylvan St, Danvers, MA 01923 or to the MedGo program of WorldVenture, 20 Inverness Pl E, Englewood, CO 80112. A memorial service will be held at a future date in Minnesota.