Ralph Duren (Duke) Chapman
Ralph Duren (Duke) Chapman passed into heaven of natural causes on June 4, 2024. He was 82 years old. Ralph, known to some as Duke and to family as Duren, was born in Woodland, CA on October 21, 1941, to Ralph and Wenonah Chapman. He was raised in Winters and spent most of his adult life in the Fairfield/Napa California area.
He graduated from Armijo High School in 1959. He has an associate degree from Solano Community College. He served honorably in the United States Army Reserve for six years. He worked for Mare Island Naval shipyard where he served as a Nuclear Director and later retired as Reactor Plant General Foreman. He started at the bottom as an apprentice and worked his way to the top.
He maintained numerous affiliations including the National Rifle Association, and the loyal order of the Moose. He was a member of FEMA. He served as a treasurer for NSGW, Solano Chapter #39 for many years. In his youth he organized parades for the Native Sons of the Golden West of which he was a member for many years.
He said before passing that he had accomplished just about everything he had wanted to do. He went to sleep happy and we know that he woke up in heaven. He will be missed.
