Blair Chapin

Blair Scott Chapin, 36, of Englewood, Colorado, passed away on May 22, 2018. Blair was born April 15, 1982 in St. Paul, Minnesota, and graduated from Monzano High School in Albuquerque in 2000. Throughout his younger years, Blair enjoyed computing, skiing, acting, and playing bass with the Albuquerque Youth Symphony. Upon graduation from high school, he began a six year career in the United States Air Force, first serving as an F-16 crew chief at Misawa AFB in Japan, and later as a flight test liaison with the 586th Flight Test Squadron at Holloman AFB in New Mexico. There, he managed data from and maintained weapons system missiles and aircraft.

Throughout his service to our country, Blair continued his education through the Community College of the Air Force, majoring in aircraft maintenance and mechanics. While at Holloman, he achieved the rank of staff sergeant. Upon leaving the USAF, Blair took time off to backpack through Europe, and then continued his education at the University of Colorado, where he graduated in 2010 with a double major in geography and environmental science. During his time at CU, he continued to serve our country through his work at the campus veteran center, where he assisted fellow veterans in their efforts to receive military benefits while attending college.

His education continued as a graduate of the Acuitus IT training course, where he learned advanced problem solving and troubleshooting skills. Upon graduation, he began a career as a software support analyst at Teledyne Technologies, where he provided software support both via telephone and on-site. He was skilled in Windows and Linux computer systems, and proficient in Apple software—becoming an Apple Certified Associate. He loved computers, video gaming, collecting vinyl records and traveling. He was a member of the UCD Veterans Student Organization, American Legion Post 1-Denver and Disabled American Veterans.

He is survived by his parents, Susan and Scott Chapin, formerly of Wausau; brother Brent (Patty) Chapin, Denver, CO; sister Elizabeth (Christopher) Hetherington, Long Beach, CA; grandfather Ken Chapin, formerly of Wausau; aunts and uncles Scott and Cathleen Jacobson of Wausau, Jim and Becky Chapin of Waco, TX; and cousins Kelly Jacobson of Wausau, Troy Jacobson of Mineral Point, and Jayme (Frank) Ramirez of Waco, TX. He is preceded in death by his grandparents Betty Chapin of Fond du Lac, and Donald and Joyce Simonson of Wausau.

A full military honors funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, September 29 at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 1915 Grand Avenue, Wausau, with burial to follow. The family asks than in lieu of any cards or flowers, donations can be made in Blair’s name to The Gary Sinise Foundation, online at www.garysinisefoundation.org