Papa Tom

Chapman, Perry T. "Tom", beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home in Murrieta, California on Friday, August 29, 2014. Tom was born on February 4, 1924, in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Ruth Catherine Bauer; brother, Dean R. Chapman; and sister, Carmen J. Benson.

Tom loved the game of basketball and played for Los Angeles City College and with the Amateur Athletic Union on a competitive team. During WWII, he served as a Radiosonde Operator with the Army Air Corps. As an avid golfer, Tom participated in many Southern California Golf Association tournaments and especially enjoyed a lifetime of golf games with his wife, Ruth.

Tom's career in the steel fabrication industry spanned more than 45 years. He was the President and owner of Allied Steel Co. in Los Angeles, and was actively involved with the Steel Fabricators Association serving as its President from 1985 until 1987.

Tom was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving as a Bishop in Downey, California and held other positions of church leadership throughout his life.

He is survived by his sons, Bruce (Renee), Brian, Perry (Jeanette); and daughters, Cheryl (Russ), Rider and Marcia Tardiff and his brother-in-law, John J. Bauer. He loved his 17 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 11 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 38980 Sky Canyon Drive, Murrieta , CA 92563. A private family burial service will be held at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California.

When I arrived to California, Papa Tom had been in the hospital for a little while for some kidney problems and had had surgery to put a stint in to take care of a aneurysm in his stomach. He wasn't doing well, so that evening we went to visit him.

Papa Tom was still sharp as ever, but exhausted.

We visited for a little while with many of my cousins, aunts, and uncles present.  Even though the circumstances weren't great, I was glad to see many of them since I hardly ever do.

Before we left, we had a family prayer around Papa Tom's bedside. 

I held my sweet Papa Tom's hand, knowing that this may be our goodbye for this life.

Thankfully, I was able to go visit him at home one last time the next day.

He died peacefully at home two days later, with his eldest son, Bruce, at his side along with dozens of pictures of his beautiful bride, Grandma Ruth, his children, and grandchildren to guide him home. 

Unfortunately, the timing was such that I knew that I would be in Prague during the funeral.

In fact, Papa Tom knew it too.  When I visited with him, he knew all about my upcoming trip and asked me several times when I was leaving and returning. He knew the timing wasn't good, but I was so glad to be there to visit with him.  I will treasure that.

Since I wasn't at the funeral and don't have pictures of it, here are some of my favorites with Papa Tom

Perry Kevin Chapman, Steven Perry Chapman holding Cody Perry Chapman, and Perry Thomas Chapman hanging out all watching golf (so typical of them, it makes me smile)

Whenever I could, I would try to squeeze in a visit to Papa Tom

 

I was able to surprise Papa Tom and be there for his 88th birthday party!

I actually came straight from the airport!

These were taken last summer with my cousin Valerie and her kids 

Love these boys!

Prague

One day, Kevin texted me and asked if I would prefer to go to Munich or Prague.

I responded that I didn't care, since I had been to neither.  This being a hypothetical, I didn't get too excited until Kevin said that he was planning a two week European tour for work and that I was going to fly over and meet him for a long weekend!

Kevin chose Prague and all we had to do was arrange babysitting (thanks, Nana!!) 

I wish Kevin would ask me these "hypotheticals" more often because Prague was so amazing!

Kevin was already touring Warsaw and Vilnius , so I flew by myself from LAX to Prague, arriving in the evening.  I was so proud of myself for managing to get half way across the world without any mishaps! I was worried about arriving at night and getting a taxi, so Kevin pre-arranged one for me (I was worried about accidentally getting into an unauthorized taxi that would rip me off, or worse).  During the taxi ride, I noticed tons of tourists out walking, so I felt comfortable going out at night, in a foreign country, by myself (again, a big pat on my back!) to grab some dinner and see some sights.

This was the sight I fell in love with just steps from our hotel:

I wish I took that picture! I couldn't quite capture it at night!

Above you see the famed Charles Bridge crossing the Vltava River, construction of which began in 1357! Overlooking the river, is the Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral.

Friday, September 5th 

After a great night sleep, I stepped out onto our hotel balcony and waited for Kevin to arrive! We scored the only hotel room with a balcony! It was so much fun sitting and watching the busy Prague traffic.

Kevin was travelling with his co-worker and friend, Jeff.  Jeff's wife, Sheila, came over as well for the fun weekend! Jeff and Sheila took the lead and planned some fun activities for us. We started with a four hour walking tour of the city. Great sites, totally exhausting!

Prague is one of the most well preserved European cities. Since it was never really bombed, so much of the city is old and original, and it is all beautiful!

This little door was designed to make sure people had to bend on entering, meaning that it was more difficult to attack.

During our tour, we saw some amazing vistas.

See the silver circles? Those are cannonballs that attacked this church!

Changing of the guard at the castle.

St Vitus Cathedral

Construction began in 1344

I just LOVE the white buildings and the red roofs

This is the John Lennon wall. In 1988, during the communist rule, someone spray painted a picture of John Lennon on this wall, along with Beatles lyrics, poems, and other anti-communist rhetoric. During communism, the rulers would paint over the graffiti, but it would always reappear. Today, graffiti is allowed and there are layers and layers of messages, but there is still an image of John Lennon watching over the wall. 

At this spot on the Charles Bridge, some important religious figure went over the bridge and this cross was erected in his honor.  It is said that if you put your left hand on the cross, you'll have good luck!

Astronomical Clock, built in 1410 (!!) shows the time, date, the saint for the day, and astronomical position. At the top of the hour, Death rings a bell and the twelve apostles come out and look at the crowd below, followed by a rooster crowing to the applause of the crowd below! 

Old Town Square

 

Saturday, September 6th

The four of us took a bus tour into the country to see the city of Kutna Hora and the famed Bone Church.  Thankfully the city wasn't too far of a drive because the bus didn't have air conditioning!!

The story of the Bone Church in Kutná Hora is that in the 13th century, the abbot returned from a visit to the Holy Land with a pocketful of soil and sprinkled it on the cemetery surrounding the chapel.

This direct association with the Holy Land led to the graveyard becoming a sought after burial site among the aristocracy of Central Europe. At the time of the thirty years’ war in the 17th century, the number of burials outgrew the space available, the older remains began to be exhumed and stored in the chapel, and it’s estimated that the chapel now contains the bones of up to 40,000 people. 

In 1870, a man was commissioned to decorate the chapel with the bones and create a reminder of the impermanence of human life and inescapable death.  What they created is creepy, morbid, and fascinating.

Kutna Hora was a silver mining town. The patron saint of mining is Saint Barbara, so they built her a lovely cathedral with the most beautiful stained glass windows!

Isn't that ceiling amazing!

Kutna Hora has its own mini Charles Bridge!

I just love travelling! 

After we got back to Prague, we checked out Wenceslaus Square, filled with fabulous shopping and restaurants!

Then we were off to an amazing dinner along the river, next to the bridge.

Sunday, September 7th

I couldn't help taking pictures of this site every time we walked by!

After a great brunch, we headed over to the Jewish Quarter to see the Old New Synagogue, the Jewish Museum, and the Jewish Cemetery.  Everything was so interesting and with Jeff and Sheila there to answer questions, I learned so much about Judaism. 

More yummy food!

Monday, September 8th

Well, it being a Monday, Kevin had to go back to work, so I went around the city all by myself!

I took the tram up the hill to Petrin Tower and climbed all 299 stairs up! It is the Prague Eiffel Tower and while it is much smaller than the original in Paris, since it sits on top of a sizable hill, it is actually higher in altitude that the French version!

More lovely views from the top!

 

I ate a lovely lunch just inside the Lennon Wall, in front of a tree where Beethoven used to compose!

They also filmed scenes from Amadeus in this garden.

 

I then took the Prague Underground tour of Prague's old undergrounds (which used to be above ground), dating all the way back to the 12th century!!!

Touring by oneself can be fun and exhausting!

That night we tried to see everything one last time!!

And that's it!

After two very long flights, I returned back to normal life and being a mom! I missed the kids, but knew they were in excellent hands!

Here's to the next adventure, honey!

Munich next time?