He enjoyed a career that reflected his many interests. He was the owner/operator of radio station WLOM-FM that he later sold to Ted Turner. He was a long-time President of Rock City Gardens during which time he was involved in the Young President's Organization and served as president of the Southern Highlands Attractions Association, Georgia Hospitality and Travel Association, Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau and Georgia Chamber of Commerce. He founded Chattanooga Computer Center and was the region's first Apple computer dealer back when personal computing was a new concept. He continued to work with and consult on technology and information systems throughout his career. He received a number of awards and commendations for his professional work including being twice recognized by Forbes Magazine with their Business in the Arts Award and being recognized as one of Tennessee's Outstanding Young Men.
He was a man of immense intellect with an unquenchable passion for learning. His children quickly learned when they were young that if you asked him a seemingly simple question, he would literally tell you how something worked, how it was made or its historical evolution. He was also the rare soul to receive a perfect score of 800 on both the math and English sections of the SAT. He was an ardent alum of Princeton University where he earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and was a member of the Key and Seal club. He earned an MBA from Emory University in Atlanta.
He was a renaissance man with diverse interests and talents. He was a Master Gardener with an uncanny memory of plant names and varieties and a love of exotic hostas. He was a skilled woodworker and woodturner who not only enabled beautiful things to emerge from a raw piece of wood but also actively participated in the Tennessee and American Woodworking Associations to promote the art and was engaged in teaching others as a volunteer. He was an avid sailor and served as Commodore of Privateer Yacht Club. He had a love for astronomy and spent many hours navigating the stars and planets with his children and grandchildren. He was a private pilot. He was a lover of music from classical to the Canadian Brass. In recent years, he and his wonderful friends pressed and bottled many vats of grapes into wine.
He was an active community member and volunteer.
He was a member of the Downtown Chattanooga Rotary Club for 39 years, and he was a fixture at a front row table every Thursday. He was an active member and Past President of the Chattanooga Engineer's Club and a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
He devoted countless hours to coaching local elementary and high school children to victory in FIRST Lego League educational robotics competitions that promote the benefits of STEM (Science-Technology-Engineers-Math). His teams consistently winning top honors thrilled his heart.
He helped his brother architect Garnet Chapin design and manufacture the original brass plaques and all the historical signage on the Walnut Street Bridge and the Tennessee Riverwalk below the bridge and has been involved in the current plaque replacement for the bridge.
He was one of five men who led the effort to establish the 9-1-1 system and Emergency Medical Technician programs in Northwest Georgia and in Hamilton County, TN. He served as Regional VP of the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads, Deputy Chief of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue Service and Deputy Chief of the Lookout Mountain, Georgia, Fire Department. He also served as a volunteer medical first responder for many years... an avocation that had him rappelling down cliffs to save climbers or hikers or dashing to the homes of others in the community when tragedy struck in the middle of the night.
He quietly funded many of the programs he supported. His many efforts are too numerous to list.
He was a husband, father and grandfather with unbounded love for his family. He was a man of quiet strength, incredible patience and constant support. He was always the one to call when something was broken or when answers were needed fast. His generosity of spirit also manifested itself in not only the "big things" but also the "little things" like leaving a gallon of milk in your fridge because he noticed you needed one. His grandchildren would also say he played a good game of Go Fish.
He was predeceased by his beloved mother, Mildred Toner (Toni) Chapin.
He was predeceased by his wife, Linda Standefer Chapin, on September 10, 2009. He first met her at a graduation party where he said she was not only the most beautiful girl in the room but also likely the only girl who would be impressed that he was a state math award winner rather than a football player. They were devoted to each other for more than forty five years despite them both leaving this earth too soon. His children know that as his hand slipped from theirs, he must have been reaching for hers.
He leaves behind three children: Betsy (Brent) Taylor of Chattanooga, Ted Chapin of Nashville and John Chapin of Nashville. He also leaves two grandchildren: Elise Taylor and Grace Taylor-who believed the world did indeed circle around their Papa. He is survived by brother-in-law Buz (Barbie) Standefer, sister-in-law Karen (Steve) Nicely and brother-in-law Jim (Carolyn) Schreeder. He is survived by his father E.Y. (Hilda) Chapin III, brother Garnet (Nina) Chapin, brother Jim (Erin) Chapin and sister Mary (Ken) Young. He also has many nieces and nephews.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the Linda Standefer Chapin Governance Award at Girls Preparatory School.
Our father pursued greater knowledge all of his life. He believed education to be of benefit not only to individuals, but to their community as well. Our family and our father's friends seek to continue his work by supporting causes to which he devoted his life. Join us in helping others finding fulfillment in their life's journey through education.
Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, Inc.
E.Y. Chapin IV Robotics Fund c/o Chattanooga Engineers Club
1270 Market Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
P: (423) 265-0586