Raymond L Chapman

Our beloved father, Raymond Chapman, passed away on July 20, 2025 at the age of 78.

Born on July 22, 1946, Ray was raised in Belleville, NJ, the son of a high school principal (William) and bookkeeper (Mildred), who imbued in him a devotion to education. While studying to get his master’s in education at Montclair State University, he fell in love with fellow scholar Lois (Van Dyk). The two were married in the summer of 1969 and watched the moon walk on their first television.

Ray was a passionate and animated educator. He loved to use maps in his history classes, earning him the nickname “Mapman.” Always the showman, he engaged his students with impressions of Richard Nixon and other hijinks. Outside the classroom, he coached crew and had a scull named in his honor.

Ray was active in his community. He was a member of the choir at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Ridgewood, NJ for most of his adult life. After retiring, he dedicated his time to the Republican Club and worked to elect candidates to local government.

Knowing Lois had a wanderlust, he used his summers off to travel the world with her to Europe, Asia, and, as Ray jokingly called it, “the mighty Soviet Union”. But mostly, he loved spending his summers with his family at the beach in Chincoteague, VA.

Gregarious and jovial, Ray was known for his big smile and his deep belly laugh. To his family, Ray was a loving husband and doting father and grandfather. He recently enjoyed mornings playing with classic cars on the floor with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Lois, his son Andrew, his daughter Stephanie and her husband Chris (DiLuccia), and his grandchildren Zoe and Russell, whom he loved dearly.

Visiting hours will be from 1:00 to 5:00pm on Sunday July 27, 2025 at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ.

Interment will be Monday, July 28 at 11 am at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus.

Please join us for a Memorial Service to celebrate Ray's life on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 1pm. Reception to follow. 

St. Elizabeth's Church 169 Fairmount Road Ridgewood, NJ  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association in Ray’s honor.