Brian Richard Chapman

Brian R. Chapman 1946 - 2021 Dr. Brian R. Chapman - a scholar, teacher, mentor, and friend to all - died June 5, 2021 in the company of his beloved wife Sandra (Sandy) Spencer Chapman at their home in Elkins Lake, Huntsville, Texas. Brian is survived by two daughters, Lisa Chapman and Paige Najvar (David), four grandchildren Maya and Bobby (Lisa) and Noah and Eli (Paige). He is also survived by his siblings Diann Sheffield (Lowell), Carl Chapman (Marilyn), and Adelene Pless (Bubba). Brian is survived by his mother-in-law Nancy Spencer, his brothers-in-law Steve and Ronnie Spencer, and numerous nieces and nephews. Born January 19, 1946 in Corpus Christi, Texas to Oran Wilbur Chapman and Wilna Deason Chapman, Brian's love for the outdoors grew from early family trips to national parks, fishing trips with his father and hunting with his grandfather -yet Brian admitted he was mostly his "granddads bird dog". His tenacious curiosity of the natural world grew with each trip to wooded forests or chasing shorebirds along the coast. He needed to crawl into the caves and climb up mountains, but his love of canyons drew him to the mountains of West Texas often. As a born scientist, only his passion for trains and rail yards could distract Brian from his love and interest for biology. No trip, scientific or not, was complete without a side excursion to watch a train running on the tracks. Brian had a mischievous sense of humor, no doubt inherited from his "granddad". He loved playing pranks on his students and telling tales that were "mostly" true. While sometimes a quiet man, Brian was happiest teasing and making others laugh or sitting around a table recounting a lifetime of funny stories for family and friends. After receiving his Ph.D. in Zoology from Texas Tech University in 1973, Brian dedicated much of his academic career to Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi before moving and taking on many other challenging roles in academic administration. For over fifty years, his talents in research and administration served many universities including Oklahoma, Georgia, Sam Houston State, West Texas A&M, North Carolina - Wilmington, and U of H - Downtown. Brian returned to Sam Houston State University in 2013 as a Senior Research Scientist and Scholar and served as a research mentor prior to his retirement in 2018. As a world authority in mammalogy and ornithology, he continued to write, publish, and share his passions for natural history including the book The Natural History of Texas published with his mentor, colleague, and life-time friend, Eric Bolen. Brian will be missed by family, friends, and hundreds of students and colleagues who had the pleasure of knowing him as both a gentleman and true scholar. In honor of Brian's love and devout passion for natural history, his family asks that gifts be given in support of his Integrative Natural History book series for which he served as an editor. Please send gifts to Sandy Chapman, 864 Elkins Lake, Huntsville, TX 77340 and made payable to SHSU Friends of Integrative Natural History. An informal gathering to celebrate Brian's life will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2021 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville, TX. Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com.

Brian Richard Chapman

January 19, 1946 - June 5, 2021