A Loss in FSU Community: Professor Edward Chapman Passes Away

Both Frostburg State University and Emmanuel Episcopal Church lost an amazing member of their family. Edward Chapman, or “Bo” he was sometimes called, passed away on February 16, 2014 from a massive heart attack after collapsing at the annual parish meeting at Emmanuel Episcopal Church.

Many people know him as a man with a charming personality and willing to help people in any way. At Frostburg State University, students knew him as a teacher willing to help them succeed in school. In the church community, he was known as a man dedicated to social justice.

Chapman leaves behind his daughter Jean Chandler Glass Chapman and wife of 42 years Mary Ann Gerwig Chapman. Mary Ann is known by many at Frostburg State University as an English and Literature teacher. The two worked together as teachers.

Edward Chapman worked in the Philosophy department here at FSU. His colleagues will undoubtedly miss him. “I will miss everything about him. His charming personality, joy, great energy and love for his job and for the community,” said Jean- Marie Makang, a teacher in the Philosophy Department at Frostburg State University.

Chapman had been a teacher for over ten years and graced the Frostburg family with his overall knowledge and personality. “He has taught me to spread joy in difficult moments, which was definitely his gift,” said Makang.

Another gift Chapman had was inspiring the Church community as the reverend at Emmanuel Parish of the Episcopal Church in Cumberland, Maryland. Chapman was a very hands-on man. His wife, Mary Ann, and he would design a program for the bible school they would put on every year.

His love for cooking was also evident at the church. Chapman was considered the gourmet chef, according to Lynn Getty, the senior warden at the church.  He would use his cooking skills to bring people together.

He would put on “Holy Smoke” and “Pastamania” which were cooking marathons for him and events of pure joy. Chapman also participated in a program called the Mandellion House that helped feed 650 people. He was a “happy, spontaneous, joyful man who loved helping people”, said Getty.

Bo’s primarily Italian cooking was inspired by his love of travel, especially to Italy. He made 25 trips to Italy, with the last in January of 2014. He traveled to Italy with his wife and Mrs. Getty and her husband.  He was enamored with St. Francis of Assisi. One of his favorite quotes from him is “Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.”  Overall, the message was to show people how to behave and let it teach them how to behave in a Christian way.

Chapman was always willing to give people advice and help. “When I needed a response to a  question, he would always give me an answer that was grounding and be that brotherly figure that I needed,” said Getty.“I will miss his instant response and traveling with him and Mary Ann to Italy. It will be sad that I will not be able to make those trips with them again. He was like a brother and teacher to me.”

A memorial service was held on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 16 Washington St., Cumberland, with the Rt. Rev. Eugene Sutton, Bishop of Maryland, and the Rt. Rev. Martin Townsend presiding.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Summer Lunch Box Program in Cumberland, Magdalene House Ministries in Cumberland. (Contributions for these two programs can be sent in care of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 16 Washington St., Cumberland, MD  21502) and the Claggett Center, P.O. Box 40, Buckeystown, MD 21717.