Robert Roscoe Chapman, Jr., of Mars Hill, died on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at Mission Hospital in Asheville. He spent his entire career, from 1947 until 1991, at Mars Hill College, retiring as Professor of Business and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. He was a member of Mars Hill Baptist Church, which he served in many roles.

Bob was born on August 3, 1926, in Spencer, North Carolina, to Robert Roscoe Chapman, Sr., and Orelle Forrest Chapman. He was graduated from Spencer High School and earned degrees from Mars Hill College (A.A.), Furman University (B.A.), and Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina (now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro) (M.S.). At its first commencement as a university in 2013, Mars Hill named him Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa. Those associated with Mars Hill will recall him as its longtime registrar. He was joint author, with Darryl Norton and Walter Smith, of Through the Long Years, a pictorial history of the institution.

Bob is survived by his wife of 70 years, Rachel Ruth Messick Chapman; sisters Jean Chapman Beckom and Julia Chapman Goodson, both of Spencer, North Carolina; brother Thomas Worth Chapman (Judy), of Salisbury; daughters Susan Rachel Chapman Richardson (Paul) of Birmingham, Alabama, and Melanie Ruth Chapman Vinten-Johansen (Jakob) of Clemmons, North Carolina; and grandchildren Robert James Richardson (Elaina) of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Rachel Carolyn Richardson of Altamonte Springs, Florida.

Those wishing to honor Bob’s memory are encouraged to consider support of the Chapman Garden at Mars Hill University (www.mhu.edu) or The Lord’s Harvest (contact williamwelsch@charter.net).

A memorial service will take place at Mars Hill Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 30. Information is available at Blue Ridge Funeral Service: www.blueridgefuneralservice.org, 828-680-9963.