Philanthropist Carol Chapman Dies at 58

Carol Chapman, a Corona del Mar art consultant, philanthropist and daughter-in-law of the man for whom Chapman University was named, has died after a long battle with cancer. She was 58.

Mrs. Chapman represented Oakland’s Victor Fischer Gallery and sold many pieces of public sculpture in Orange County, including “Lightwave,” a piece by sculptor Jerome Kirk that sits near the Chapman University auditorium. She later helped the university find a bust of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Mrs. Chapman and her husband, C. Stanley Chapman Jr., were on the board of the St. Joseph Ballet, a Santa Ana group that involves inner-city youths in dance. For the last two years of her life, Mrs. Chapman spent much of her time and energy on the troupe and last year was named volunteer of the year.

“Carol was one of the most positive, vivacious, can-do people I’ve ever known,” said Beth Burns, artistic director of St. Joseph Ballet. “Even in the final days of her illness she attended rehearsals.”

Born in Oakland, Carol Chapman met her future husband at a Stanford football game and married in 1958, joining one of Orange County’s pioneering families. Her new father-in-law, C. Stanley Chapman Sr., who died in 1984, was Chapman University’s most generous benefactor. He brought the tiny college to the city of Orange from Los Angeles County in 1954.

Mrs. Chapman is survived by her husband; two sons, Greg Chapman of Long Beach and Scott Chapman of Germany; a daughter, Trish Chapman of San Francisco, and a sister, Salle Crittendon of Alameda.

A viewing will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Pacific View Memorial Park, 3500 Pacific View Drive, Newport Beach. A memorial service will follow Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach.

Mrs. Chapman, who died Tuesday, will be buried in a private ceremony following the service.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to her favorite groups: St. Joseph Ballet at 220 E. 4th St., Suite 207, Santa Ana, CA 92701; and the Yosemite Fund, 155 Montgomery St., Suite 1104, San Francisco, CA 94104.