Carl E. Chapman

Our Carl Chapman passed away on Thursday, October 7, 2021 and is likely already taking over conducting responsibilities where he can find peace.

Carl Chapman was born April 24, 1947 in Monahans, Texas to Lottiemae and Cliff Chapman. He graduated from Northwestern University earning a Bachelor’s Degree in choral conducting. His first teaching job was in the music department at Mukwonago High School in Waukesha County where he met his future wife, Kathy who was also a teacher. They were married on July 1, 1974. He went on to earn a Master’s Degree from the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and then a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

In 1981, he was appointed as the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh where he conducted choirs until 2012 when he retired. He was a founding member of the Oshkosh Chamber Singers which he conducted for nearly thirty years.

When he wasn’t teaching or conducting, Carl loved to stay active with yard work, gardening, running, biking, and golfing.

He was much beloved and is survived by his wife, Kathy Chapman; son, Connor (Bethany) Chapman; brother, Robert (Linda) Chapman; sister-in-law, Jody (Ron) Rupich; nephew, Hutton (Anna) Chapman and their children; and countless choral and community members.

Preceding him in death were his parents and nephew, Jason McAtee.

The family would like to thank the staff of Right at Home, particularly Pam Lang; the CNAs and nurses of Evergreen Nursing Home and Aurora Medical Center for their wonderful care of Carl in his final years. Special thanks also go out to all of Carl’s friends who shared time with him and helped him over the years.

There will be a service on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. with visitation from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home, 100 Lake Pointe Dr, Oshkosh. The family would request that masks be worn at the visitation and service, and encourages everyone to be vaccinated.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to either the Carl Chapman Scholarship fund at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh or to the Oshkosh Chamber Singers.

He was a leader who influenced countless people. “The music he made was astounding, but it ended too soon.”