Allen Chapman

ALLEN CHAPMAN

Cedar Rapids

Friends, family, acquaintances and former employees of Allen R. Chapman are gathering Sept. 18 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in the Fischer room at the Cedar Rapids Country Club to remember and celebrate the life of Allen "Chappy," as each has known him, whether as a businessman, a fellow bicyclist, photographer, skier, pilot, boating enthusiast, passenger rail fan or as a supportive friend to lean on.

From the day of his birth, March 19, 1936, Allen was destined to be "a car guy." His parents were firmly committed to the auto industry, and he spent many summers assisting his uncles and learning the business. From that beginning Allen Chapman progressed until he became president of the Allen Motor Co., growing it to $80 million in annual sales and 145 employees. Throughout his career Allen took an active role in state and national automotive issues. He also was active in local activities, particularly Abbe Center and Downtown Rotary.

His first job was in the darkroom of the Boise, Idaho, Daily Statesman while he was in high school, which may explain why there are few photos of him captured by the camera. He was behind the lens.

After graduating from the University of Iowa with a degree in economics, he fulfilled his obligation to ROTC at Fort Collins, Colo., and then resumed his lifelong career with Allen Motor Co. He attended the General Motors Dealer Institute and was named president of his class. He was very active in IADA throughout his career, serving as association chairman in 1991.

Chapman was Iowa's Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award nominee in 1996. He was a member of the Iowa Automobile Dealers Foundation for Education board of directors from 1999 to 2006 and was one of the 25 founding contributors in 1988. He was recognized for his service to the Iowa Automobile Association with an honorary membership in 2007.

In addition to being "a car guy," Allen was fascinated by other means of transportation: the trains he used to travel from Boise to Cedar Rapids for summers with the Allen family; boats and airplanes that he enjoyed for pleasure and bicycles until his accident.

Allen married Kathleen Halloran and they had two sons, Christopher Dennis and Stuart Allen. Stuart married Terri Burton and they had two daughters, Shannon Nicole (Doug) Johnston and Carly Halloran (David) Jarvinen. The youngest member of the family is Shannon and Doug Johnston's son, Logan.

Allen's thoughtful replies to questions, his innate curiosity that invariably led to a series of follow-up questions and his polite manner were his hallmarks. His final years were challenging, but no one ever heard him complain. When he smiled, you immediately knew you were in the presence of a gentleman.