Richard Louis “Dick” Chaplain, 95, passed away on February 12, 2024, in Lakeland, Florida. He was the husband of the late Patricia M. (Charbonneau) Chaplain, with whom he was married for 68 years.
Born on June 21, 1928, in Avon, Massachusetts, the son of the late Wilfred and Alice (McCarthy) Chaplain, Dick grew up in Middleborough, graduating from Middleborough High School in 1946. Immediately after graduation, Dick enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving from 1946-1948 – a WWII Veteran. Upon his discharge from the Navy, Dick furthered his education at Champlain College in Plattsburgh, NY, graduating in 1953.
Dick worked for many years as an engineer for Hercules Corporation, both at the Taunton, Massachusetts facility (Havig/Hascon) and at the Cumberland, Maryland facility (Allegheny Ballistics Lab), where his innate ability to perceive complex engineering designs and translate those designs into production models earned him great respect and recognition. In his spare time, he was an avid golfer and a gifted woodworker and carpenter. Many of his creations now reside in the homes of family members. He even built a family vacation cabin in New Hampshire!
Dick and Pat are survived by their four children: Michael (Mary) of Mattapoisett, MA; Sarah (Peter) Whelley of Moultonborough, NH; Gregory (Nikki) of Norfolk, VA; and David of North Conway, NH. He was blessed with 9 grandchildren: Aimee Boothe, Kathleen McCabe, Brenna Chaplain, Patrick Whelley, Michaela Kohler, Collin Whelley, Andrew Chaplain, Brooke Conigliaro and Abigail Chaplain; and 9 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister, Carol Mitchell.
A combined memorial service for Dick and Pat will be held at St. Anthony Church, Mattapoisett, on Saturday, April 27 at 10:00 am. Interment will be at St. Mary Cemetery in Middleborough.
