Dr. Herbert Lee Chapman, Jr., 91, of Indian River County, passed away on Jan. 16, 2015, at Indian River County Memorial Hospital.
He is survived by his loving wife Muncy; his four children Jill Searcy (Charles), Margy Kulczycki (George), Melinda White (Bob), and Lee Chapman (Kathy); 11 grandchildren Brad Searcy (Raquel), Jake Searcy (Jennison), Jeff Searcy (Laura), Garrett Kulczycki (Tammy), Jan Wiese (Scott), Wes White (Ashleigh), Kelly Fennemore (Jason), Kevin White (Nathalie), Kristen Chapman, Kori Chapman, and Michael Chapman; 16 great-grandchildren; his sister Mary Frances and his brother Loren James.
He was born July 15, 1923, in Kansas City, Mo. He married Muncy Gallagher in 1946. He graduated from the University of Florida. He furthered his education with a graduate degree from the University of Florida, followed by earning his PhD at Iowa State.
He served in the US Navy during WWII. As Professor Emeritus, he spent most of his professional career at the University of Florida in beef cattle research. He authored and co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers published in professional journals pertaining to the beef industry and served as a consultant to cattlemen and related businesses around the world, including the King Ranch of Texas. With his wife Muncy, he co-authored the Wiregrass trilogy, historical novels set in the Florida Territory in 1835.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service in his honor on Sunday, Jan. 25, at 2 p.m., at Indian River Estates East Auditorium. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions may be made in Dr. Chapman’s honor to the United Methodist Children’s Home, 51 Main Street, Enterprise FL 32725; or to Care Net Pregnancy Center of Indian River County, 1503 24th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Condolences may be made at www.lowtherfuneralhome.com.
