Theodore Chapman (1918-1988) was born in Rochester, NY on June 18, 1918. He attended Public School #44 in the city of Rochester for elementary school. After finishing high school, he enrolled in the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute's (renamed the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1944) photographic technology program and graduated in 1939. Chapman enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 7, 1943 where he served as a pilot for the remainder of World War II. He remained in the reserve force of the newly-formed U.S. Air Force, ultimately reaching the rank of Captain. In addition to serving in World War II, Chapman participated in the Korean Conflict military effort.Chapman's career was spent at the Eastman Kodak Company. He started at the company as a technical representative. Over the years he served a variety of areas including Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee. He was promoted to the Northeastern Sales Division in 1963. When Chapman retired from the company in 1980, he was the Coordinator of Product Planning and Graphic Arts.Following his retirement, Chapman moved to Austin, Texas. He died of stomach cancer on April 7, 1988 and is buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX. In his will, Chapman left $2.5 million to his alma mater, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). The gift was unexpected. Chapman has lived a frugal life and through wise investments was able to build up his estate. The funds were used create a permanently endowed merit scholarship for students in the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences.
From the description of Theodore Chapman papers, 1939-1989. (RIT Library). WorldCat record id: 769826291
